For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
My five year old insists on sleeping in the light – not just a nightlight but full on run-up-the-electric bill light. No amount of logic or spiritual assurance can sway her from this. Turn out the light and thoughts of evil things hiding in the darkness switches on a panic attack. She feels safe in the light, knowing that it would expose any wolves lurking in her room or perhaps even banish evil in the first place.
Once you were darkness – not just in darkness, but a part of darkness itself. Now you are a light in the Lord. We are the ones who shine a light on the darkness in our culture. Not only should we refuse to participate, but we must activity dissent when evil exists and support what is good in the world. We cannot shut ourselves off away from society in some protective shell but must clearly expose evil through the light of Christ. The fruit of the light results in goodness, righteousness, and truth. All who walk in the light produce fruit, but some produce watermelons while others only generate shriveled up raisins.
Our culture teaches that there is no absolute truth and that faith is something separate from “real life.” This could not be further from the truth. Ignoring the cancer of sin permeating our world does not manifest God’s love – quite the opposite! We are called to walk as children of the light in every aspect of the world. Redeem the culture; change the world; build the kingdom of God with your light! “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
The last line is probably from an Easter hymn sung by the early church. If you are not a believer then wake up from the dead! Step into the light! The best day lived in darkness cannot compare to the toughest day lived in the light.
dc Talk - In the Light from josiahtwitch1990 on GodTube.
Love this. :)
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