For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8
You ever glance at a father and son combo and say to yourself “man that little guy looks just like his daddy!” I can recall times growing up I’d hear comments about my resemblance to my father or how I have my mother’s nose. Even now as a father I often get remarks from people regarding how much my children resemble me.
I’ve had the privilege to father my step son from his middle school days until present day as he’s now a college graduate. Over the course of the last several years I’ve witnessed him take on a lot of my characteristics yet he’s not even my biological son. We’ve even been together and heard folks say to him “you look like your dad,” of course both of us would smile and get a chuckle out of it.
Well, the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:8 is rolling out a very simple framework for the Christian believer. He’s suggesting that since we are now adopted into Christ’s family we should take on the characteristics of this family. More importantly we should begin to take on the characteristics of our father, Jesus.
I once heard a message preached by H.B. Charles and he shared something profound. He said: “it’s the will of God, that the Spirit of God, would use the Word of God, to help the Children of God, look more like the son of God!” Did you catch that? As Christians and followers of Christ we should in many ways resemble or be a reflection of Jesus. That’s what the Apostle Paul is suggesting when he exhorts us to walk as children of light.
Christ would proclaim that he is the light of the world. (John 8:12) He is able to make this claim because of what he would do for us 2000 years ago on the cross by giving his life to be the propitiation for our sins. In doing so, anyone who might accept Him as savior is immediately adopted as a child of God or “children of light.” We are literally brought out of darkness into his wonderful light! (1 Peter 2:9)
Considering the above mentioned, let us wisely contemplate our role as Christians to be “children of light.” Let us embrace the beautiful reality that we get to be representatives or ambassadors of Christ in our respective paradigms. Let us walk as children of light.
Dig: Read Matthew 5:14-16; John 12:35-36
Delight: As you dig into the word of God daily, treasure the truths found in HIS word and let the WORD transform you into a more prominent image of Christ