Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
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Bible Commentary
Ephesians 5:8 is a Bible verse from the New Testament that reminds us who we were before Christ and who we are now, in Christ.
In the verses preceding Ephesians 5:8, the Apostle Paul encourages us to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1). Then like a school teacher before a test, he reviews for us a list of activities we were formerly involved in before we accepted Christ as our Savior.
The list is quite involved and ugly. We don’t like to picture ourselves involved in those kinds of things anymore, so the reminder is very distasteful, even shameful. But maybe we need a jolting reminder of where we used to be, so we don’t fall back into those old ways by a tempting relationship.
Paul is warning us not to “become partners with them,” speaking of those who are currently involved in those sins (Ephesians 5:7). He also warns us not to let anyone deceive us with empty words, reminding us that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6).
We don’t want any part of God’s wrath. As a matter of fact, as children of God, we strive every day to get untangled from the bondage of our prior lifestyle, to gain more and more grace as we are transformed from glory to glory.
Where We Are Now
Ephesians 5:8 gives us a bird’s eye view of our life:
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Why in the world would we go back to the darkness once we’ve had a taste of the light? Sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re drifting back to the darkness because it’s such a gradual decline and very subtle.
There is a very revealing meaning in the Greek of the word, “darkness”: obscurity. “Obscure” in Webster’s is defined like this: shrouded or hidden in darkness; remote, secluded; not prominent or famous; not clearly seen.
This is not what God wants for His children—to be unnoticeable, almost invisible, or overlooked. There may be a time of seclusion or wandering in the wilderness as He works in our lives, and yet we are not hidden in the Kingdom of God.
We are quite bright in the spiritual realm, even when we feel like we’re in the wilderness. It is a time of spiritual maturing.
Unlocking the Truth – Charge!
Ephesians 5:8 says now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. “Light” in the Greek means: to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; be seen.
We are seen in the spiritual realm quite clearly, but there comes a time when we are to shine, or be seen here on earth. A time when the glory of the Lord shines upon us (Isaiah 60:1). A time to bring honor to His Great Name.
Paul says that since we are now in the light, we should walk in the light. In other words, act like it! There is a time for meekness and gentleness, and there is a time for boldness and strength.
A lion comes to mind. When God says it’s time, it’s time. Don’t shrink back in indecision or hesitation. When God rises up in you, CHARGE!
Go forward unafraid. It is for His glory. Be confident in Jesus Christ. He lives in you and will work through you. CHARGE!
Be bold, be courageous. CHARGE! 2 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
Brothers and sisters, we are the brightness of His coming—we are light in the Lord. It’s time to walk as children of light!
Study the Bible verse of Ephesians 5:8, and walk as children of light.
