Young People's Group

Approving the Things that Are Acceptable to God

by Mitchell Tan
October 07, 2020

WALKING IN THE LIGHT AND APPROVING THINGS

Walking in the light is not just about following the truths of the word of God. There is much more to it. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians that part of walking as sons of light was to approve the things that are acceptable to the Lord.

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

“Finding out” has the idea of testing things out. It is through testing things out that there will come the prudence to know what is good in His sight; what is the will of God!. This was something the Ephesians needed to learn.

TESTING THINGS OUT

How were the Ephesians meant to test things out?

1. HAVING A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF DISTINCTION BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS

Darkness represents all things that are of the evil one; sinful, evil and false. Light represents all things that of God; righteousness, goodness and truth. There are clear standards taught by the Lord Jesus and the apostles. There are the lives of the Lord Jesus and the servants of God to emulate.

2. SEEKING TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AS THEY WALK IN THE LIGHT

3. TESTING OUT AND BEING CERTAIN WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

Not every detail of life is covered specifically in the Bible. There were some things that the Ephesians had to test out as they walked in the light through the help of the Spirit of God. If they were to follow the Lord’s ways and the good examples of servants of God, things would be clear as day. It would be confirmed to them what is good and acceptable to the Lord. Paul also wrote of how the Church at Rome was not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that they may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). The word “prove” is the same Greek word used for “finding out”. It is through rejecting the world and being transformed by a renewed mindset that we can approve for ourselves the good and acceptable will of God.

REJECTING FELLOWSHIP WITH DARKNESS

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Ephesians 5:11

Why should the Ephesians not have fellowship with the works of darkness?

1. BECAUSE IT IS TOTALLY CONTRARY TO THE WILL OF GOD AND THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT

The Ephesians were not meant to partake of the unfruitful works of darkness. When they fellowship with the world, they would not be able to approve the things that are good and acceptable to God.

2. BECAUSE THE EPHESIANS WOULD BE INFLUENCED THROUGH SUCH WORLDLY FELLOWSHIP AND WAYS

3. BECAUSE THEY WOULD END UP WITH FRUITLESSNESS

Darkness is exposed by light. The challenge for the Ephesians was to speak forth the light of the truth of His word to others and to show forth light through their lives and actions. Young people, let’s choose not to fellowship with the people of darkness. Let’s seek to ensure that we are not influenced by the unfruitful works of darkness. Let’s seek to know the light of His word and walk in it that we can stand against darkness and expose it.

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