The Resurrection Life is a Life of Light

Jesus is the light of the world. He shows us what God is like. He shows us the way to live. He gives us hope and He dispels the darkness.   But did you know, that when you put your trust in Jesus, that you too also became light in the Lord? Did you know that God changed your identity to be children of light? That this resurrection life that we now possess by virtue of God uniting us with Christ, is a life of light?

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:6-8

We were once darkness. That WAS our identity. At one time we listened to the deceiving voices of this age that told us that life is about living for yourself. And we bought it. We believed the lie that life was all about us. And so in God’s eyes we were “the disobedient.” As disobedient people, we wanted nothing to do with God calling the shots. And so by nature we were objects of God’s wrath. We were Darkness: deceived, disobedient, and on the road to destruction. This is WHO WE ONCE WERE!

However, this all changed once you put your faith in Jesus Christ. You were once darkness, but now you became light in the Lord. You are new Creations in Christ. His spiritual DNA is alive in you. Therefore, if Jesus is the light of the world, you and I are now His light in the world. So live consistent with your new identity.

Live as the Light!  So what does life as the Light look like?

Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:8b-16

Goodness: Inherent in the quality of goodness is a spirit of generosity. It’s living to do good works for others regardless of whether they are deserving or not. It’s being gracious in our words and being kind in our actions. The goodness of Christ is something by nature that cannot be contained: it pours itself out in good deeds to others. As we said a few weeks ago: We’ve been blessed to be a blessing! In a world where everyone is out for number one, a person of goodness brings life.

Righteousness: Bearing the fruit of righteousness is about making things right or treating people right! It’s the way of a peacemaker, where we initiate healing broken relationships. It’s the way of dignity, where we see all people as being made in the image and likeness of God, no matter how far they’ve fallen. In a world of broken promises, a person who heals relationships or treats others with respect bring life!

Truth: Bearing the fruit of truth is being honest and trustworthy person. It’s being someone you can count on. It’s being a person of your word. In a world of deception and lies, a person you can count on, a person you can trust, brings life.

Find out what pleases the Lord: The idea here is about putting what we know of God’s will into practice. He wants us to test out our new way of life on others. And so if I understand this correctly this means: we don’t have to be perfect at it, we just need to get involved with people and do something good for them.

Expose the deeds of darkness: Our exposure is not like a witch hunt where we are going around and telling ungodly people how sinful they are. No, in understanding the role of our light, this simply means we are to live out our goodness, righteousness and truth in proximity to people who are living in darkness.

When we shine our light, we don’t just make Jesus visible to them, we make their own darkness visible to them… and when their darkness is exposed, they come to a conviction of their own sin, their a need of a Savior, and having their eyes opened by the light, they too will become lights.

Wake up Oh Sleeper! Your light is needed. People are lost, people are deceived, they don’t see an alternative, because they don’t see the light. Our world is living in darkness. It seems as deception is winning the day. What is good is called bad, and bad is called good. We are the light or the world.   So wake up, rise from the dead… and embrace your life as the light… and Jesus will shine on you! He wants to shine on you.