Walking as Children of Light in a Dark World | Ephesians 5:5-8
May 3, 2023 | by Teacher Michael Carter
This text speaks to where we were and how the light of God impacts our lives.
Yes, we had our way in the world. But by the mercy and the grace of God we turned from them and became born again children of God. Yet, it’s the beginning of a new life with God and in His kingdom that requires growth. This growth is impacted greatly by how we respond to God’s light.
This term light used here symbolizes God’s righteousness, holiness and His illumination.
It impacts every area of our lives as well as those in the sphere of our influence. As the children of God, we are the children of light. God’s illuminating light shines in us and through us. There is a need for us to understand this and walk as the children of light in this dark world. Walking in the light as the children of light is our response to God‘s illumination in our hearts and lives.
This starts with our relationship with Jesus, the light of the world. John 8:12
There is a lot of deception, darkness and hopelessness in this world. It is the result of sin. From the time Adam sinned, darkness entered this world to cast a shadow on all that is good. The enemy desires to bring this planet under the shroud of darkness. Although God placed a few things in the world to open the door to His influenes by way of sacrifices, laws and principles, the ultimate fix was in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:7-7
God told the devil that one would come to change it all. Genesis 3:15
The one He was speaking about was Jesus. Jesus came to pay the price for sins to be forgiven, our salvation and the choice to be reborn of God's Spirit. And to reposition us with God as His children in His family and kingdom. As the light to the world, He brought the light of God with Him. He came to dispel darkness and to provide that light to shine in and through us as the ambassadors and children of God. That we would walk as children of light. John 12:35-36
Jesus is the light; when you receive Him, you receive the light of God. John 12:44-46
The moment you repented and turned from your sin, asking God to forgive you, gave your heart to Jesus and accepted Him into your heart as Lord and savior, the light of God entered your heart. That light is there to impact your life and shine through you as the children of light. It is a much needed light that shines in you and through you in this dark world to the glory of God.
Our walk in the light is a reflection of God’s influence on our lives like a diamond reflects the suns light through it. The sparkles are the diamond reflecting the light in and through it. Put your real diamond ring or earring away from the light in the darkness and it will not sparkle and you will not be able to distinguish it from the real thing or a fake. It’s how it handles the light that causes it to sparkle and unveil its essence and beauty. In like manner, it is the light of God shinning in and through us that unvails our essence, potential and beauty, to His glory..
The light of God that’s in us came when we received Jesus in our hearts as Lord and savior. When you received Him, you received God’s light. Our response to it, determines how our lives sparkle according to God’s will and purposes.
Kingdom Principle: Jesus is the light of the world - John 8:12
Action of application: Receive Jesus into your heart as Lord and savoir
We walk as the children of light in a dark world by walking and responding to the light of God.
We are the diamonds, responding to God’s light. How we respond determines our growth. The light of God exposes our sins and calls us to repentance. John 3:19 Often when we sin, we hide from the light of God as Adam did. This does you no good and moves you away from God. It is the effect of shame and unrighteousness caused by your sin.
Don’t hide or run from the light of God. As believers, when the light of God exposes our sins, run to God and take the matter to Him in repentance. Responding to His light leads us to repentance and causes us to grow in our faith and relationship with God. God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us. This grows our relationship with God and causes our personal growth as well. 1John 1:5-9
Our lives become a reflection of how we handle the light of God and its impact on our lives.
The more we respond and repent, the more Christ-like we become. The reflection the world sees is Christ-likeness being developed in us. Walking in the light should be a continual process of growth and transformation. Walking in God's light brings growth in our relationship with Him and transformation in our lives. 2nd Corinthians 3:18
In addition, that light provides illumination that guides and encourages us to overcome
We live in a dark world filled with evil, unfortunate things and circumstances. And yes, just because we are saved doesn’t immune us from life’s challenges and crazy circumstances. Some we bring on ourselves, some can be spiritual, and other are life simply happening. It’s in these moments the light of God shines in our hearts and gives us hope and encouragement. God’s light illuminates His position in our lives that gives us hope. Psalm 27:1 / Micah 7:8
Kingdom Principle: Repentance from dead works and walk by faith - Hebrews 6:1 |1John 1:5-9 | 2 Corinthians 5:7
Action of application: Repent of any sin; ask for forgiveness and strength to grow from it. And look to Him for hope.
We walk as children of light in a dark world as beacons of light and hope. Matthew 5:14
Often people say that their faith is personal. Your growth with God is personal, but your witness is not. It’s not a secret service relationship, but one that speaks to a testimony to the influence of God in our lives that can give others hope. Our lives are witnesses to what God has and is doing in our lives in this dark world. Actually, our lives are being read by on lookers all the time. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Yes, in some cases they are looking to see if we will make a mistake. And if they look closer over time, they will see that. As none of us are perfect. We press towards it, but its an ongoing process. And we should not try to present ourselves as perfect. But remain humble, recognizing its all about God's help and influence in our lives. It's not about us, but God. So, what they will also see is God's mercy and forgiveness and how we got up and lived forward because of God's grace and influence in our lives. This is a witness that gives them light and hope.
Your testimony is not about you or being perfect; it’s about the love and mercy of a perfect God. Our witness speaks as a light that shines on God’s mercy and goodness at work in our lives.
People know we’re not perfect. They just want to know if the God we serve can forgive, deliver and move in their lives. Our witness tells them YES, HE CAN!
As the children of light our witness to God’s influence is important. Psalm 66:16 | 1 Peter 3:15
As the children of light our witness to God’s influence is important. Psalm 66:16 | 1 Peter 3:15
Don’t be ashamed or fearful to declare God’s goodness in your life. It serves as a beacon of light in this dark world to the mercy and goodness that God has showed you in your life. People need to know that we serve a God of love and mercy who forgives and does great things in our lives. Our testimonies are lights in this dark world to the goodness of God. Matthew 5:14-15
Our lives are witnesses and examples of God moving in our lives as beacon of lights and hope.
We are witnesses to God’s love and mercy towards us. And His desire to move in their lives as well. God is no respecter of persons. However, He responds to a contrite genuine heart. Romans 2:11.
As beacons of light, our light provides a path for those who desire to find the hope that’s in knowing Christ. When they inquire to us, as beacons of light, we lead them to God.
Kingdom Principle: We are living epistles seen of men – 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Action of application: As a witness of God’s influence, share your testimony - 1 Peter 3:15
We walk as children of light by expressing God’s heart in this dark world. Matthew 5:16
We’ve got to move past the selfishness of the world, and walk as children of light and express the heart of God towards other. It gives people hope that there still is good in this dark and evil world. Yes, right in the middle of all the ugly and darkness in this world, there is good and God’s heart is being expressed through those who are beacons of light. We are to exspress the heart of God towards others through our acts benevolence, help and services. You may be that hope or hand that makes a difference in thier lives.
What are you doing or how are you serving and shining your light to the glory of God?
We’ve got to move away from the thinking that church is a place where we always go to get something. To the thinking that church is the place where we go to discover and learn how we give of ourselves in service. Whether it’s in an area in the church or in the community, our service is a beacon of light, expressing the heart of God to others. Actually, God has placed something in us to serve in the fulfillment of our purpose. Serving it will impact others and cause you to experience fulfillment of life. The very thing that we all desire out of life.
As we walk in the light as beacons of light, we are moved to express God’s heart as acts of light that provide benevolence, love and services. Remember, God’s light shines upon, in and through us. The through is our service and actions towards others. Philippians 2:14-15
Check your heart and allow God to lead you to a place of service.
Or find where there is a need and serve there. This is what occurred in the early church. Acts 6:1-6. Some of them moved on to different areas of the ministry. This appointment was their initial entry into service. Yet, through serving they were able to recognize their purpose and fulfill it. Their service was an expression of God’s light to the world. Our service is an expression of God’s light. Consider the following prayer in Colossians 1:9-14
Remember: Matthew 5:16 (KJV) 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Kingdom Principle: Serving - Matthew 20:26-28
Action of application: Find an area in the church or community to serve - Colossians 3:23-24
We are instructed to walk as the children of light in this dark world. Ephesians 5:8-10
- We do this by accepting the light of the world, Jesus Christ as our Lord and savoir,
- We do this by allowing the light of God to lead us out of sin and impact our lives.
- We do this by being beacon of light that speak to God’s influence and impact on our lives
- And we do this by our light shining as acts of service, expressing God’s heart to others.
We should walk in the light in this dark world, as the children of God.
Romans 13:11-14 (KJV) 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
