Walking In The Light ( 4)
Key verse: Ephesians 5: 8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of lights.”
ALITTLE bit of light can make a huge difference. Light would keep you away from tripping and falling, while walking up or down in the dark or in unfamiliar places. When all is dark, a tiny candle light will change everything. Jesus said, He is the light of the world, and He calls us to walk in the light with Him ( John 8: 12). As we walk through this fallen world, everyday we make choices to either walk in darkness or in light. Apostle Paul admonishing the Christians at Ephesus in Ephesians Chapter 5 instructed them to walk in the light as children of light. The light of God in men reflects godliness, truth and righteousness.
Light and darkness are prominent themes in Paul’s epistles. These symbols are prominent in the gospels, and in the teaching of our Lord, Jesus Christ ( Matthew 6: 19- 25). The symbols of light and darkness are not new in the New Testament; they are themes which are rooted in the Old Testament, and which are drawn upon and applied in the New Testament.
In Ephesians 5: 8, Paul likened our former nature and conduct as “darkness,” contrasting our nature and conduct as Christians by likening it to “light.” Paul admonished the believers in Christ to walk no longer as children of darkness, but to live as children of light. Paul based his premise on the fact that Christians have undergone a dramatic transformation, which is having been transformed from darkness to light.
Salvation brings real transformation in the life of a sinner. Salvation is transformation from the life of sin to a new life, which is characterised by good works ( Ephesians 2: 1- 10).
To walk as children of light as Paul instructed is to walk in love ( Ephesians 5: 2). T o walk in love is to want more and more of Christ and give yourself to Him completely. We are imitators of God when we love one another as Christ loved us. The love of God in us does not produce sexual immorality, while relating with one another . God’s love is pure a nd holy and it is devoid of sin and impurity. As a Christian, y our love for someone should be devoid of filthiness, foolish talk and crude joking which are out of place. Those who love sacrificially do not engage in sexual immorality impurity, or covetousness. Our world promotes all of these things. They promote sacrificial love and sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and c rude joking. You cannot be said to love your neighbour as Christ loved you when as a man you pursue sexual gratification for every help rendered to the opposite sex. Self- control and self- discipline show more love to other people than inappropriate physical contact.
Light is a symbol for salvation, life, righteousness, truth, the Word of God and God’s splendour and presence. In Proverbs Chapter 4, it says that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, but the way of the wicked is like darkness. It speaks of the conduct of the godly using the imagery of light, while using darkness in reference to the wicked. To walk in darkness is to call evil good and good evil. The clarion call is to walk in light in all your ways. The Bible said in Isaiah 2: 5: “Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” In this New Year, choose to walk in holiness, purity, righteousness and sanctification and the God of all grace shall bless your endeavours.
• Today’s Nugget: Light is a symbol of Salvation. Prayer: Lord help me to walk as a child of light. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E- mail: amadiabelukachi@ gmail. com. Rev. ( Dr.) Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.