Young People's Group

Walk as Children of Light

by Mitchell Tan
January 29, 2016

DON’T RETURN BACK TO OUR OLD WAYS OF DARKNESS

The tendency for us to return to the sins of our past is so real. As much as we want to change and be transformed as children of God, sometimes when we are weak, sin’s influence can still get the better of us. There was a time when we were dead in sin as non-believers, walking according to the course of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air, which is a reference to the evil one (Ephesians 2:2). We conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling whatever we wanted. Now, being saved by grace through faith, we should no longer live for the things of the world. Being called out of the world to be a community of believers, we are meant to be part of a new entity called the Church. However, the tendency to return to worldly ways is still present in our heart and that is why Paul challenged the Church to not do so.

“That you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk”
Ephesians 4:17

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”
Ephesians 5:11

As born again Christians, we should no longer be just like the world and do whatever they are doing. If we return to being just like the world; clubbing, gossiping, “sleeping around”, cursing and swearing, etc., doing exactly what some may be doing, this does not reflect well on us as children of light. We are challenged by Paul that we should no longer walk as the world walked (walks). We should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. If we continue in darkness, there would be no fruit-bearing in our life. Young people, let’s not return to the old ways of darkness.

THE CHALLENGE TO WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

“Walk as children of light”
Ephesians 5:8

Paul’s strong exhortation to the Ephesian Church was to be the kind of children of God that they were meant to be. Paul challenged the Ephesians to be imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1). They were to live out their lives reflecting the light of the Lord. How can this be done?

1. REMEMBERING AND APPRECIATING THAT WE ARE CHILDREN OF LIGHT

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:8

It is easy for us to forget what a privilege it is to become a child of God! We were once not just living in darkness. We were part of darkness itself. However, due to the Lord’s great mercies, we are now light in the Lord. Our challenge is to reflect that light wherever we go.

2. BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

“(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)”
Ephesians 5:9

As we walk as children of light, we do not walk alone. The Spirit of the Lord is with us. He will work within us to produce the kind of fruit that would express itself in goodness, righteousness and truth. This would make us distinct as children of light. Goodness, righteousness and truth would shine through our lives.

3. HAVING GREATER DISCERNMENT

“Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10

There will also be the desire to seek out what is most acceptable to God. When we walk in the light, we want to know what is well-pleasing to Him. We will choose to live our life with greater wisdom and discernment. Let’s seek to walk in the light by discerning His will and following it.

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