4.3. RESEMBLING CHRIST IN A SHINING LIFE (Ephesians 5:8-17)

Notice that our state formerly was not being in the dark, but darkness, "were" referring to both conduct and understanding (1 Corinthians 2:14 ). To live by one's own natural instincts is to be walking in one's own darkness (Romans 8:8-9 ). The unsaved intellectual reels from such statements. Until such have the new birth, it remains "foolishness" to their soulish, controlled thoughts that they are in darkness. We "were", so we feel for those who are darkness, for their experience is that of death, discomfort, delusion, danger. There is no hope apart from the Holy Spirit's work of convicting and convincing (John 16:8-11 ).

We can help by praying Holy Spirit conviction upon those we are in contact with, who are in darkness. Our transformation from being darkness and becoming light is described as "in the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8 ). We are in Him who is light (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5 ). We are now light in the Lord - both in conduct and understanding - and are to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8 ). Transformed from impurity to purity - from soulish ignorance to spiritual intelligence - from depravity's gloom to daylight gladness - from rebellion to relationship - from midnight to mid-day - from uselessness to usefulness - from fruitlessness to fruitfulness. Illuminated to illuminate others (Matthew 5:14 ).

Ephesians 5:9 "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) "

That we are light is proved by what our lives produce (Ephesians 5:8 ). Notice it is not fruits but "fruit" (Ephesians 5:9 ), therefore it is not one of the parts mentioned that is the light, all three colours make this light, and the "in all" suggests a threefold production of fruit. To be the Lord's light - the Lord's all-righteousness is seen in the life - both in disposition, and serving with honesty, dependability, and loyalty. To be the Lord's light - the Lord's all truth is seen in the life, both in disposition and serving, rejoicing in the truth, believing the truth, speaking it, acting in accordance with truth. The life is in the fruit and the fruit is in the life.

Our whole walk should be one of discovery of things pleasing to the Lord. It is important to see that Ephesians 5:9 is parenthetical, so the last clause of the eighth verse should read with the tenth.

Ephesians 5:8,10 "... Walk as children of light ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

There will be a rejecting of those things that are not pleasing - but those who are light do not focus on the negative. They are far too excited with the ongoing discovery of what pleases the Lord, and making much of their joyous discovery.

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Stand Apart From Every Work Of Darkness

Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, ..."

The very contrast of our apartness will show sin for what it really is, fruitless and as having no "fruit to holiness" which the saved have that results in eternal life (Romans 6:22 ). To the contrary, their deeds of darkness result in the wages of sin - death (Romans 6:23 ).

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Shine Your Exposing Light On Them

Ephesians 5:11 "... but rather expose them."

By our contrasting life, and by our spoken testimony.

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Shun Dwelling On The Secret Deeds Of Darkness

Ephesians 5:12 "For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. "

Explicit descriptions of secret evil actions should not be part of a testimony - nor dwelt upon in teaching. It is enough that our lives and the Word expose to the sinning their sinful state (John 3:20 ).

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Seeing Will Result From Your Consistent Shining

Ephesians 5:13 "But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light."

Light, by its very nature, makes visible. There are times when the odiousness of sin is made visible to the sinner, and he repents and finds salvation. But if not, the sinner stands condemned and inexcusable.

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Sound The Awakening Call To Those Who Are Asleep

Ephesians 5:14 "Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.'"

Some interpreters say that Ephesians 5:14 is a paraphrase of Isaiah 60:1-2, where Israel is seen as ultimately shining to bring God's light to all around. Then the application of Ephesians 5:14 will be to believers who are light in the Lord not to be still but active and illuminate the world - even to spring forth as from the grave, and pour out the light. Don't fail to sound the wake-up call to those who are lying around. Shine with the shining of the Lord upon you. Others teach that it is the trumpet-call of the gospel to awake sleeping, dead, sinners to receive the light of Christ. However, our personal response should be to live in the brilliant shining of Jesus so that His light may shine through us to a desperately dark world.

Ephesians 5:15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,"

It is the life that with care, aligned to the Lord and His Word, that keeps on shining. It would be foolish not to face up to our responsibility seriously - wise to live accountable and effective lives.

Ephesians 5:16 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. "

It is important that we seize upon every opportunity to shine for God, because of the evil day we live in.

Ephesians 5:17 "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

It is because light is so valuable and so indispensable, that the Lord's will be understood. It is His purpose that His will rules our lives, and our wise walk and consistent walk light up the darkness. It is His plan for your life that you shine where He positions you, resembling Christ before the world.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How is your amazing transformation described? What is your calling in this world? (Ephesians 5:8-10 ).
2. Are you presenting a wake-up call by manifesting the light? (Ephesians 5:13-14 ).
3. What principles ensure your clear shining? (Ephesians 5:15-17 ).