WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

Greetings Church, as I was reading this morning in God’s Word in Ephesians, I came across two sentences that were three verses long. What a powerful three verses it was! And what is even more amazing, it also proves what is acceptable to the Lord. Does that get your attention? It did for me. (God has given me these verses many times, but I never stopped to ask Him about them before.)

Ephesians 5: 8-10 (NKJ)

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit (light) is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord.”

Now Church as you know I sometimes read other translations to get a clearer or broader view of the scriptures. I’d like to put down how Ferrar Fenton wrote this:

“For you were once darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light; for the fruit of the light is in all purity and righteousness and truth. Search what is most pleasing to the Lord ;…”

Everyone is born into sin (darkness) because of Adam and Eve’s first sin, but when we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our personal Lord and Savior, we are then illuminated in the Spiritual Light of God, and we are saying “Yes” to the Light of men—Jesus Christ (John 1: 4 also Matthew 4: 16; John 1:9; 8:12; 12:35-36).

Saints the word “light” is everywhere in the Bible, God’s Word to us, so I went to the Bible dictionary to see what it said. Talk about interesting reading! It was almost one page long in explaining that one word! I’ll paraphrase most of the writing because it is needed to explain the title of this paper.

As in most dictionaries after the word “light” it gives the pronunciation of the word both in Hebrew and Greek, since that is the language the Bible was written in:

“Light is declared by the Scriptures to have come into existence by the express command of the Almighty, and to have been in existence long before man or the present races of animals or vegetables had their being (Genesis 1:3).

Genesis 1:3 (read verses 1-5 for the understanding of this one statement)

“Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

Now Church, all through this paper please keep your Bible handy to look up all the scriptures that are given, because God has given us His Word to lead, guide, direct, understand, uplift and much more when we ourselves discern with God’s Spirit “in” us what we are hearing and reading every day. As a born again Child of God, He is dealing with each of us on an individual bases, One on one so to speak. We need to be sensitive to His Spirit every minute of every day. (O.K. Church, let me get off my “soap box” and get back to our paper.)

In the New King James writing of that statement there are two references, one on the words, “Let there be”, and another one on “light”. I would like to take a pause here and write those down for you.

“Let there be” has reference to II Corinthians 4:6: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (Please read verse seven also.) Now the word “light” was referenced to Hebrews 11:3:

“By faith we understand that the worlds/ages were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible,” (That Church is FAITH! Hebrews 11:1)

Now, as we go back to the Bible dictionary with the meaning of the word “light”, it then tells us:

“The Almighty Himself is frequently spoken of as connected with the idea of light. Thus “God is light” (I John 1:5); “the Father of lights”. (James 1:7) God is addressed as One “Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2); and as “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto” (I Timothy 6:16).

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also references as part of the light, let’s read on in the Bible dictionary.

“Jesus, as the One who brings the true knowledge of God, is called “the light of men” (John 1:4; see also Matthew 4:16; John 1:9; 8:12; 12:35-36). Light also as might naturally be expected, is frequently used for spiritual illumination especially that illumination which is effected in the soul by the indwelling Spirit of God (Holy Spirit). (II Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:14; I Peter 2:9)

Light is used as the figure in general for spiritual joy and the happy influence of the Spirit of Peace. Hence the expressions, “The light of thy countenance”; “The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm 27:1), and “Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). A striking variety is given in Job 37:21, “Men see not the bright light in the cloud,” their trouble so oppressing them that all seems dark, and they observe not the happier times in store for them. The Word of God is compared to a light (Psalm 119:105). The figure is also applied to the heavenly state (Isaiah 60:19-20; Colossians 1:12; Revelations 21:23; 22:5).

Finally, the figure is applied to Christians in general (Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8; the verse the Lord had me to learn and write about this morning.

Summing up this long paper there is a TRUTH to learn and put into use for the Glory of God. Jesus said in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5: 14 and 16:

“You (we) are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father in Heaven.”

What are we waiting for Saints? We were once darkness but now as Children of God, we are light in the Lord. And as we are told we need to walk as Children of Light. Always remembering the Power and Authority we have from God through His Spirit “IN” us. By reading God’s Word and being still and listening to His Voice we can make a difference in our lives, others lives and most important for the Glory of God!

Come on Church, lets’: TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD and take back what the enemy has stolen from God’s Children. Stand up and be counted for Christ as we look to the future and the end of God’s Plan for mankind where there will be no sun light but God’s Light, (Revelation 22:5) and we shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!

The Holy Bible in Modern English translated from the original Hebrew, Chaldee, and Greek languages by Ferrar Fenton. Published 1903-1966