5. LORDSHIP AND BEAMING HIS LIGHT

An interesting use of the phrase "in the Lord" is found in,

Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light"

We cannot read these words without rejoicing in the great transformation that has taken place. Mark the "once" and the "now" in this stirring statement. Once darkness, therefore you brought no ray of light to anyone, merely added darkness to darkness. Now, light in the Lord, any person within your radiance receives light. Only a miracle could bring about such an amazing change, the miraculous transformation due to the fact of being "in the Lord". The transformation is maintained, and the beaming forth of the light of the Lord increases in brightness as we are more and more living in the Lord.

The important truth we need to examine right now is that accepting the Lordship of Jesus is essentially related to beaming His light. We are told to "walk as children of light". The word "walk" refers to the manner of life. Life lived under the government of the Lord Jesus, beams forth His light. We need to bring our social, private and public life under His Lordship.

We are commanded to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8 ). Then in verse 9, the apostle states in parenthesis:

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

The last line of verse 8 being included in verse 10. So, without the parenthesis it reads: "Walk as children of light finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

Our conduct in all our social life must be in accordance with "what is acceptable to the Lord". Our rule for conduct must not be "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". No, we must do as the Lord would do. He beams the light of His life through us when we carefully do what is acceptable to Him.

A young convert quickly learned this truth, and living up to it, shocked a professing Christian. At a social party held for the office staff, the professing Christian offered the young convert an intoxicating drink, with the invitation: "Have a drink, it is quite acceptable here." The young convert insistently replied: "But is it acceptable to the Lord?" No matter what the social occasion, or where there is help, we are still under the Master's orders and must conduct ourselves in the way that is acceptable to Him.

The parenthesis of verse 9 outlines the walk or conduct that is always acceptable to the Lord. Whether we are in the company of others for pleasure or business, we are to decisively demonstrate "the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness and truth". We are to illuminate others with the Lord's all-goodness. The goodness of the Lord Jesus is more than a state of being good, it is being virtuous and kind - but even more, goodness is being benevolent, generous, a going beyond the duty expected of us. Goodness is going the second mile. The goodness of Jesus is expressed in the picture of the good shepherd:

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

The hireling shepherd will do his duty, care for and provide for the sheep, but he will not give his life for them. The all-goodness of Jesus is grace that goes beyond what is expected, even to the giving of His life. Goodness is giving, expecting nothing in return. The goodness of the Lord Jesus in His people is more than duty rendered, it is unexpected goodness, given when you are available and ready to do that which is acceptable for the Lord and in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

And you will be the light of the Lord to others in your giving. We will also be light in the Lord to others in our doing of all goodness. Dr J. Hamilton said:

"Goodness is love in action; love with its hand at the plough; love with the burden on its back. It is love carrying medicine to the sick, and food to the famished. It is love reading the Bible to the blind, and explaining the gospel to the felon in his cell. It is love at the Sunday class ... it is love at the hostel door. But whatever task it undertakes, it is still the same, love following in His footsteps."

I would change those last words to "His all-goodness in action continuing in your daily walk". In this way we are light in the Lord.

We will illuminate others with the Lord's righteousness and truth. In doing what is right and being true to His Word, we are light in the Lord. The Lord Jesus came to fulfill the law. To Him the right thing to do was the Father's will. He entered the world saying: "I delight to do Your will" (Psalm 40:8 ), which is quoted in Hebrews 10:9. He left it saying: "Not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42 ). By doing His Father's will He beamed out His light to men.

We are light in the Lord by being good, right and true. This will cost us in our social life, for every part of it must be brought under His authority.

Our very thoughts must be brought into captivity to the Lord - the thought life is the birthplace of our actions. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7 ). When we meditate on the right things, we produce that which is acceptable to the Lord. Here are some of the things we are to think upon:

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

The man who shines brightly in the Lord before men, will ever have a bright spirit in living communion with his Lord. With our mind set on Him, and our heart only for Him, we will shine brightly for Him.

Our feet must walk for Him, in His ways, before the eyes of men. Of the Lord it was said:

John 1:4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

When our public lives are right He can beam His light through us to this dark world.