Ephesians 5:14
‘For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”’
Paul has referred to avoiding the evil deeds we lived of in. He even said to avoid speaking of them. Conversely, he says to stay in the light and that we are light in the Lord. Then he shares today’s verse.
He tells us, “awake”. He doesn’t mean literal sleep. More so, not paying attention. It reminds me of someone fishing in a boat that’s not anchored. The attention is given to the fishing, not the drifting. One could find oneself way off course or possibly in danger.
We are to pay attention. To what? To our manner of living and to our conversation. Are we being a bad, or good influence? Are we being influenced negatively? Should we pray or witness to that person? We are in a world that is of light and darkness. Stay in the light, don’t drift to the dark, or worse, intentionally go there.
We can advance the light. It’s like the sun rising and it takes over the shadows. As we travel through our day, we can bring the light to all places we go. This is mainly done through our actions. Love, mercy and forgiveness are of the light. We can drive this away. If someone wants to merge into our lane, back off and allow them. We haven’t shared the gospel, but we’ve given love.
People may or may not notice. We don’t worry about that. We are loving without worrying about consequences. It’s to be who we are. We are on their side, we’re rooting for them. We want to encourage. Everyone likes that.
Paul also mentioned that light exposes darkness. This is a little riskier. This is the difference between the Walmart greeter and the Walmart receipt checker. The latter can expose problems. Our manner of life is primary. Sometimes words are necessary. It’s to be done without judgment. More so about why we live the way we do. It can be done in a hopeful way. The ways of darkness involve sin and bondage. We can speak to how we were trapped, but not we are free and much happier.
Usually, if they are in sin, they are asleep or unaware. We can turn on the light in a nonjudgmental way. When the light is on, we can see things we may have been unaware of. Like when we go to the dermatologist. They see things we were unaware of. We couldn’t feel or see what they see. Sometimes those are benign, other times cancerous.
The Word of God is a light. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” As we are in the Word, we gain wisdom and insight.” This is a huge source of light. So much depends on this. If we pay a little attention to it, we grow a little, if we pay much attention to it, we grow more.
Ours is a relationship with God. He loves us, adopts us, fills us and uses us. We learn to love Him and His ways. It becomes a way of life.
The Word of God is food. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, LORD God of armies.” God uses the words we read as material for building. He constructs wonderful things in us. He uses the skills and talents we have for His glory.
Adam and Eve lived in perfect fellowship with God, each other and the world. The devil entered the scene and brought confusion and sin. Since then, God has been attempting to bring all back to the light. He wants us to live and thrive there and to bring others along.
Lord, thank You for Your light and how You use it in and through us. Help us to enjoy You in it. Keep us there and away from the shadows. Help us to bring light to others and to persuade them to join us.