Young People's Group

The Challenge to Walk as Children of Light

by Mitchell Tan
September 23, 2020

REMEMBERING BEING ONCE IN DARKNESS

The apostle Paul sought to help the Ephesians to appreciate their salvation in Christ in a deeper way. He reminded them of how they were once part of the kingdom of darkness.

“For you were once darkness …”
Ephesians 5:8

1. Paul wanted the Ephesians to recall their pre-salvation state.

2. They were once living in darkness and being controlled by the evil one.

3. The Ephesians were spiritually blinded and their understanding was darkened.

4. They were living in sin and were stumbling in darkness.

5. They had neither hope nor God in their lives.

What a terrible state to be in!

APPRECIATING NOW BEING LIGHT IN THE LORD

“… But now you are light in the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:8

While the Ephesians were once in darkness, they had come to believe in the Lord Jesus. They were now light in the person of our Lord and Saviour.

1. SEEING THE LORD JESUS AS THE ETERNAL SOURCE OF THE LIGHT

The Lord Jesus had taught of how He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12). Those who follow Him will no longer walk in darkness but they will have the light of life. There would be light from the Lord to fill their lives and to lead them in this world of darkness The Ephesians were justified in Christ and they were now light in Him.

2. BEING THANKFUL FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE IN BEING LIGHT IN THE LORD

The Ephesians were meant to appreciate deeply this salvation in Christ. It was only by the mercy and grace of God that they had become part of the kingdom of light. Paul also wrote to the Colossians about being thankful to the Lord that He had qualified them to be saints in the light (Colossians 1:12). From the power of darkness, they have now been conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). What a privileged position to be in!

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

“Walk as children of light”
Ephesians 5:8

Being light in the Lord does not automatically mean that the Ephesians were living in the light.

1. The word “walk” is a strong entreaty from the apostle Paul.

2. They were strongly encouraged to live their lives as children of light.

a. In deep appreciation to the Lord, they were meant to obey Him by keeping His ways.

b. They were neither to walk in the ways of darkness nor to fellowship in it.

c. God is the Father of light and the Ephesians were to be obedient children of light.

d. They were the light of the world and they were meant to be distinct in this world of
darkness (Matthew 5:14).

e. They were to reflect the Lord’s light by showing forth the nature of the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:9).

f. They were to do good works in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Young people, let’s appreciate deeply what it means to be light in the Lord. The challenge is to reflect His light in all that we do. Let’s walk as children of light as the Lord is in the light.

Back to Article Listing