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#DailyDevotion Walk As Children Of Light

#DailyDevotion Walk As Children Of Light

Eph. 5:6 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 associate 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.

 

What are “empty words” and “these things?” Paul is talking about. Well the previous verses tell us, Eph 5:3-5 “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.  (4)  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.  (5)  For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

 

The empty words are those teachings which say it doesn’t matter if you do these things because in Christ they are all forgiven. It is the teachings of licentiousness which allow sinful behavior to exist and continue unrepentantly by Christians because it is forgiven by the cross of Christ. But those who teach such things and those who believe them have no part in the kingdom of Christ and God. If you run across such Christians that permit sinful behavior because it can be forgiven or even worse promote it, have nothing to do with such people. For they may ensnare you in the trap they themselves are held captive.

 

For you, St. Paul says, are light in the Lord. Indeed Jesus even calls us light to the world. We are to hate all that is evil and have no part in it (not in order to be saved but rather because we have been saved freely for Christ’s sake). Having the truth of Christ that sin, death and the power of the devil has been defeated by Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are to live that out in our lives. We are called to walk as children of light because the Father of Lights has given new birth to us in our hearts. We should instead be bearing fruit of light or of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. And the Spirit will indeed bear this fruit in our lives if we remain faithful to Christ and do not give ourselves over to darkness again.

 

Paul calls us to try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. That is not a complicated thing. We have been called to trust Jesus and to love our neighbor. Love does no harm to the neighbor so don’t harm your neighbor. Love also seeks to do good for the neighbor so look to see how you may be of help to those around you. If you are having difficulty in figuring this out just review the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. There are most to there to keep you busy for a life time. Remember this is what God has done for you in Christ Jesus.

 

So stay away from the works of darkness. Instead of participating in them expose them for what they are so others are warned. The wrath of God is coming because of such things and because people prefer the darkness to the light of Jesus.

 

Gracious Father, continually give us your Spirit that we may walk in His light and love. Grant us repentance from the works of darkness that we may bear the fruit of life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Rev. Guillaume J. S. Williams, Sr.

The Reverend Guillaume Williams is the Pastor of Hope Lutheran Chapel of Osage Beach, Missouri. His pastoral ministry with Hope began in 2005 where he preaches the Christ crucified.

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