Children of Light
Have you ever been inside a dark cave?
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being enveloped by the black void of a deep cavern. The darkness surrounds you and no matter how hard you peer into the surroundings, nothing can be seen. However, when someone turns on a flashlight, or even strikes a match, the light can be a comforting and welcome sight.
This puts a spin on the idea we are “children of light” as Paul writes in Ephesians 5. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (vs. 8 NIV).
What does it look like to be a child of light? Paul continues, “(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord” (vs. 9-10). When you aim to uphold these things, and to please your Heavenly Father, the fruit of light will be evident to others.
Not only are we to glorify God, but Paul has another exhortation for his readers. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (vs. 11). We are called to reveal darkness for what it really is. And we are to cast it out, not only in the world, but within ourselves, too.
By seeking to produce the fruit of light and exposing the darkness, we will be beacons of hope in the dismal cave of life. God’s light beckons for the lost to come and become children of light as well.
Copyright 2011 by Molly Anderson. Use by permission only.