December 7th~A Light in the Night

Ephesians 3:1-5:14

We transitioned into the second half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the first three chapters, Paul reminded his readers what Christ had done for them. Now, Paul challenged them to live in light of what He had done. He set the stage by writing, “Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God” (4:1). Simply put, our lives should be a clear reflection of the work of Christ.

First, in regards to our old self, we should “no longer walk as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness. They are far away from God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They don’t care about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways” (4:17-19).

After describing the unworthy walk of those without Christ, Paul charged believers to live in the opposite way. “This isn’t the way you were taught,” he wrote. “Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness — righteous, holy, and true” (4:20-24). To summarize, our lives in Christ should reflect a genuine change from the old self to the new.

Finally, Paul wrote, “Though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Find what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the deeds of evil and darkness... Where your light shines, it will expose their deeds” (5:10-14).

Daily Reflection

It is our wholesome lifestyle that sets us apart from the world. We stand out as bright spots in our darkened work places, neighborhoods, campuses, organizations, teams, etc. When we shine that light, it causes others to notice and it provides opportunities for us to speak of the truth (Matthew 5:14-16).

The problem is that many of us are not “bright” enough. We look too much like the darkened world, and when the world sees us doing and saying the things that they do, then they notice nothing different. Why, then, would they want to be Christian? The most treacherous tool against Christianity is Christians who claim Jesus with their lips but deny Him with their life- style.

Are you a bright spot in your darkened world? Do your words and actions stand out in contrast to those around you? If not, why not? If so, describe how.

You are not living in stark contrast to draw attention to yourself, but rather to draw attention to the Lord and what He has done in your life? How should you respond when someone notices a difference and asks you about it?

BiAY.org | Day 341 — 24 Days to Go