Be children of light

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ September 19, 2012 ♦ 2 Comments

Living as Children of Light

Ephesians^4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

²⁰ You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. ²¹ Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What comes to mind when you think of corruption?  I always think of politics and the big cities that have a reputation of being run by dishonest people, or the machine as it is sometimes called.  Paul warns us here that we can become corrupted or tarnished by deceitful desires.

It always amazes me that as Christians we are can be so resistant to giving up the ways of the world.  The excuse “we’re only human” boggles my mind, since we are humans empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Have we forgotten that the Holy Spirit was powerful enough to raise Jesus from the grave?  Shouldn’t He have enough power to enable us to walk in the light, keeping our talk pure and our actions kind-hearted? 

PRAYER:  Father, today we pray that you would make us mindful of all you have given us to keep us on the path to holiness.  We have your Word, we have your Spirit, we have the ability to come to you in prayer and we have this institution called church where like-minded people gather to worship you and receive support for daily living.  May we make use of all that you have given us and may we be drawn to the light of your love forever.  Amen