Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

Once again, I could preach on any verse in this chapter! This one, however, in a way summarizes the rest. Paul was not a disciple of Jesus before His cross and resurrection, so he certainly didn’t hear Jesus say this directly, but this is a strong echo of Jesus’ words: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) When we are born again by faith in Christ we are indeed transformed, but we can be slow to realize it. The devil does all he can to blind us to as much of the truth of God as possible, so God had Paul and others remind us of it in various ways. Actually, we should all be doing that for each other all the time, just as Paul said: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16) Living as children of light is so much more enjoyable than living any other way! To be honest, I’ve never seen the attraction of getting so plastered you can’t remember the next day what all went on, but the devil has deceived some people into thinking that’s the only way really to have fun. That’s sad! It’s also regrettable when Christians walk around with long faces all the time. That’s no way to draw anyone to Christ! As Jesus said, our lives should cause people to praise God. And frankly, when we live that way, it’s fun!

I’m very thankful to have accepted this truth, and I attempt to communicate it to all who will receive it. I have dealt with long-faced Christians and carousing unbelievers, and both need to wake up and smell God’s roses, so to speak. The blessings of walking in fellowship with the Lord are so many and varied as to defy description. I need not only to enjoy them myself, I am to share them with those around me. That said, it is frustrating and sometimes discouraging that so few really accept the Lord who is the source of it all. I have had someone bring friends to meet me because he wanted them to meet “someone who really enjoys living,” when that person himself is a militant Buddhist! All I can do is keep living as a child of light, speaking the truth in love, and allow the Lord to bring the harvest in His time, in His way, for His glory.

Father, thank You indeed for making me Your child. You have been so incredibly gracious! I continue to ask that You open the hearts and minds of those to whom I minister so that they may be freed from the lies of the devil and choose to repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!