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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 268

"Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."

Text: Ephesians 5:7-8

FOR YOU WERE ONCE DARKNESS (“SKOTOS”)

1. Lexical meaning

The darkness is that of the darkness that one may expect to see in the depths of the ocean, where sunlight cannot penetrate. That would be darkness indeed.

2. Metaphorical derivation

The darkness an unregenerate person finds himself in may be described as:-

a) A condition darkened by sin.
b) It is a blindness caused by the evil one.

Paul wrote more about this state of blindness in his letter to the Corinthian Church.

But even if our gospel is veiled,
it is veiled to those who are perishing,
whose minds the god of this age has blinded,
who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel
of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine on them.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4

All believers must from time to time, remember how once they too were in darkness. The heart must shudder at the remembrance of being in darkness and being blinded by the evil one.

BUT NOW YOU ARE LIGHT (“PHOS”) IN THE LORD

1. Lexical meaning

Light is the obvious antonym of darkness. The believer receives his light from the One who is well described as “The Light” (Cf. John 1:4, 5, 9).

2. Metaphorical derivation

The believer has been illumined by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is challenged to “walk as children of light”. The believer must seek to be conscious that he is now a bearer of light to a world that is still largely characterized by darkness. The walk of the children of Light must obviously be most distinct (Cf. Matthew 5:16).