SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. [Ephesians 5:8] Paul continues to explain what it means to follow Jesus. We are called to imitate Him. Paul unpacks what this looks like using a number of applications, the last of which is how we treat one another as husbands, wives, parents, children, employers and employees [Ephesians 5:21-6:9]. The controversial reading about husbands and wives is, I believe, misunderstood because the theme verse that he applies (Ephesians 5:21] is ignored or neglected. It is because we are ALL called to mutual submission (as Jesus submitted Himself for us) that wives are to submit to their husbands, and husbands to their wives. Whatever headship may mean, it does not take away the fact that husbands must submit as much as their wives – it is the way of Jesus.
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. [John 8:12] How is Jesus the light? Darkness is moral quality here; as people live selfishly, cruelly, immorally, etc., they spread the darkness. Jesus brings light (hope, blessing) through His kindness, integrity, morality, honesty, mercy. Instead of asserting Himself (the reason this world is so dark), He humbles Himself, sacrifices Himself for the sake of others. This is the good news in the midst of the bad news. And those who follow Jesus are to also be light like this. Those who live this way will discover the light of life, living as children of the light.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:16] How we live, how we relate to others, how we prioritize our time, how we handle temptation or finances, how we treat each other as husbands and wives and family and employers – in all these ways we shine with the light of God and goodness. We ought to be known by our neighbours as people who live in this way, the Jesus way.
Lord, I know I live a moral life, but I sense that I need to go further; I sense the need to live a radically selfless, generous, thankful life. When I consider the radical extent of Your love, then I see how much further I have to grow. I want to be less greedy, and more generous; less selfish, more selfless. I cannot do this on my own, I need Your help!
PRAYER:
Lord, enlighten me, and my life. May I be known more for being a loving generous person, than for being a pastor, or a church-goer, or a christian.
We have a common saying ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ By that we mean to say that the parent’s characteristics are found in the child. Our fruit also doesn’t fall far from the tree of life in which we are rooted and it is by our fruit we are known. We should always show the fruit of the Spirit and in this way shown we are His children – imitators of Christ Jesus.
I need to live a life of thanksliving each day since all what I have is His. And so as I live each day in His presence I am reminded of the text, ‘As far as it depends upon me, I must live at peace with all mankind.’ That’s the way of love. That’s the way of putting others first in this mefirst world having all their way. It all must be God’s Way- being the heart, the hands, the feet of Christ.
Help me this day Lord to walk Your Way.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!