Scripture:
Ephesians 5:6-14 ESV
[6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7] Therefore, do not become partners with them; [8] for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), [10] and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11] Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. [13] But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, [14] for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Observation:
What caught my eye this morning are the words let no one deceive you. That statement is all through the New Testament, and I believe it’s a very important statement. Looking at the book of Ephesians, Paul explains that we are not at war with human beings. This thing runs so much deeper than that. It’s a spiritual war. Therefore, it is easy to be decived. In that very same verse, Paul talks about empty words. I relate this to blowing smoke. Those who say one thing and do another. He talks in the scripture about using the grace of GOD as a license to live however you want. But clearly, that’s not what it’s intended for. The first verse the Holly Spirit brought me to this morning could be all that’s needed for this SOAP. there is so much there. The next statement Paul says is powerful and a warning that should not be taken lightly… “Because of this, the wrath of GOD is coming on the sons of disobedience.” This sentence screams for our attention. But it’s not over yet… the advice of Paul is that we don’t partner up with those who are living in that manner. Before you get all excited and say how can we leas people to christ that don’t know HIM if we don’t partner up with them. Partnering up and leading someone to christ are 2 different things. The statement about deceiving and empty words is the key there. Paul identifies that at one time, you were just like them, but now life is different. HE is saying walk that out. Leave the old life behind. Walk in the light. He then tells us how to discern whether someone is in the light by explaining that the light encompasses everything that is good. In a sense, he is saying be fruit inspectors. With further instructions, Paul guides us to take no part in the unlawful deeds of darkness but to expose them. For the next 3 verses, Paul is talking about exposing the dark deeds and another warning to remain awake and live in the light of christ.
Application:
Man, there is a lot there. I hope I can do it justice. It’s pretty easy to see that no one really wants to be decived. I don’t, and I’m sure that it’s on your mind as well. Yet the empty words are still a part of this world. I’m not sure that will ever change until Jesus Christ returns. In the meantime, HE left us to be a light. I listened to a guy on talk radio, and at the beginning of his show, he said the darkness can only occupie where the light has vacated. This tells me that the light has the power. It’s stronger than the darkness. Listen, this is my point. Be the light you were called to be. Shine bright. If you do, the darkness has no choice but to change to light or get the heck out of there. As the light, we can’t keep holding hands with the darkness and expecting it to change. We have to expose it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe there is a way to do this without being heatful. But it’s something that needs to be done. One prayer I have found that really works is simple… Father, whatever is in the dark, bring to light. Listen, I know HE will honor that prayer, and honestly, I pray that prayer often. Because I want to live in the light. I’m not saying I always have lived in the light, but I want to now. My past is gone, and the light of christ shines on me. I want to be the light Jesus has called me to be. Holding hands with the darkness will not allow that to happen. That’s like walking a line and hoping you don’t fall. Darkness is so much different than light, and the only thing they have to do with each other is that they are polar opposites. Now I know the light will encounter darkness. But it does not fellowship with it. In John chapter 3, just after verse 16, we see why it also confirms what it says here in Ephesians. The darkness does not like the light because it exposes. As followers of chrost, that’s our job. Let’s go to the woman at the well, and then we can pray. Jesus brought out the truth from her without calling her dirty names and digging at her. HE simply asked her some questions, and she brought her own darkness to the light. That’s how it’s done. Be the light today. That’s what you are called to do.
Prayer:
Father, we love you. You have called us out by name and placed the light of christ in us. We want to be the light that you have called us to be. You did not light this lamp and put it under a bucket, but on a stand. Let it shine. We want to be used by you. We want everything we do to be done in the love that you have shown us. So as the light of christ shines through us, let it be done in the same manner that we were shown by your son. Truth+grace= love and love is light. Father, we love you and want to live a life that shows you that. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.