Children of the Light

Ephesians 5:8-14 (New Century Version)
In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.  Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.  Try to learn what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the things done in darkness, which are not worth anything.  But show that they are wrong.  It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret. But the light makes all things easy to see, and everything that is made easy to see can become light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper!
    Rise from death,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Have you ever entered a dark room, possibly your own, and everything appears okay because it's dark. But the moment you turn on the light ... WHOA!  In the light, you see everything that's out of place that you weren't readily able to make out while in the dark!
It can also happen when you replace a light bulb that was growing dim, and now the new bulb shines brightly, so much so, that you are able to see smudge marks on the walls, dirt on the floor, furniture in need of repair, or other items that may not have stood out so much in the dim lighting.

In the spiritual, the same type of thing takes place when we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness (our old carnal self) to the Kingdom of Light, (our new self / life IN Christ).  Things that used to seem okay, we can now more clearly see are out of order and not pleasing to God.

When we enter the Light (new life IN Christ), transformation of our character should happen little by little. And if, after walking with God for a while, you find that you are still very comfortable in and with all your spiritual messiness, you need to ask yourself if you are truly LIVING in the light as God intended!

Prayer
Search me God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and bring it to my attention so I may repent.  Lead me Lord in the way You would have me to go.  Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You; and to always walk in the Light for that is where You are and thus where my help and every good thing is!  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.


To God Be The Glory

The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.