His words in our text are similar to his teaching in the Book of Colossians:ĩ For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Here, in our text, Paul describes the transformation which the Christian experiences in terms of the change from darkness to light. They have been delivered from slavery to sin and to Satan to become sons of the living God (see John 1:12 Ephesians 2:11-22 Romans 8:1-25). They have been delivered from death and given eternal life and have been saved from a life of sin to a new life which is characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:1-10). Those who are saved by faith in Christ are not merely improved, they are radically transformed. In the Bible, salvation is never spoken of as a trivial matter. Paul’s argument is based upon a fundamental premise: Christians have undergone a dramatic transformation which is here described as having been transformed from darkness to light. In our text, Paul likens our former nature and conduct as “darkness,” contrasting our nature and conduct as Christians by likening it to “light.” Let us listen well, to grasp what it means to walk no longer as children of darkness, but to live as children of light. 101 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. 99 They are employed as well by Peter 100 and John. 97 These symbols are prominent in the gospels, 98 and in the teaching of our Lord. Light and darkness are prominent themes in Paul’s epistles. These high standards define the conduct which the gospel was purposed to produce (see Ephesians 2:8-10), which reflect the glory of God through the church (1:3-14), and which are pleasing to Him who saved us by His grace (5:10). In chapters 4-6, Paul sets down the standards of the conduct which God requires of those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. That is precisely the truth upon which Paul bases his instruction in Ephesians 5:7-14.

Light has a way of exposing what darkness tends to conceal. In the darkness, the difference was unnoticeable, but in the light, the discrepancy was obvious.

The colors were similar, but not identical. The new body parts were not the same color. Under the lights of that service station I realized something I had not previously known-Volkswagen has more than one dark blue. My daughter, Jenny, and I decided to drive it to the service station and fill the fuel tank. I didn’t even have to repaint the car! It was getting dark as I finished the car.

Since its body parts were in very good condition, I bought them.Īs I was completing this repair project, I was amused, and just a little proud that I had been able to obtain parts which were the same color. Among these Jettas, I was more than delighted to find a blue one. I was looking each car over to find the body parts which were in the best condition. There were several Jettas in this small wrecking yard, with similar body styles. I went to a place that sold used Volkswagen parts. Several months ago, our blue Jetta was involved in an accident, rearranging the front end. “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

And then there was light bible