“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),”Ephesians 5:8-9 NKJV
Reflection: how can darkness appear as light?
As a brother in Christ and his wife were recently leaving a Sunday morning church service, when they were approached by one of the church staff members. After some niceties, he mentioned that he wanted briefly to talk with them about their tithing, and whether they could commit to some increase in their giving. The church had set some new goals, one of which was to expand their building. A larger facility, to grow the church, to host more people. As my brother is listening to the pitch of the man from the church leadership, he happened to look down and noticed that this man was wearing some very nice, very expensive shoes. And it struck him as pretty odd. This man was a full time salaried church staff, paid for by the gifts of the congregation. How could he afford such nice shoes, even nicer than he himself was wearing or could afford? And, now he was asking for more money, in the name of reaching more people?
We are approaching the darkest season in the northern hemisphere. And, the further north you live, the earlier in the day you have to have to turn on lights. For some, beyond the Arctic Circle, need lights on all the time to see, as the sun does not rise at all for a period of time. The landscape is covered by darkness, until the sun once more rises in the early spring. But in this dark season, without the sun, you can see small lights everywhere, where people live. From streetlights, to porches, and inside houses, all form these points of light, and together light up the darkness. And, at Christmas time, even more lights shine. Walking through a small town in the north at Christmas time, with streets decorated, you can almost see as well as in the light of the sun. Ok, not quite, but you get the point.
There is a parallel to consider here, as it relates to spiritual light and spiritual darkness. In our focus verses today, Paul echoes Jesus words ““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV Paul picks up this truth, and says “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),”Ephesians 5:8-9 NKJV.
As those who are asking the people for more money, some that can barely pay their own bills, we know our enemy can also appear as light. But it is a false light, as Paul explains “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” II Corinthians 11:12-15 NKJV. We clearly don’t know the heart of this church staff member with the nice shoes who is asking for more money, but it seems very suspicious.
So how can we know what is true light? Paul talks about what is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, “the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth,”Ephesians 5:9b NKJV. And, we read additionally in the previous chapter, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJV. These are the signs, the characteristics of a true follower; not one that is greedy or boastful.
Let’s be watchful who we listen to and follow. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing among us, or even some with very nice shoes. Let’s instead follow Jesus, and truly light up our towns, most of which are in darkness. Many small lights will make an impact, will help people see. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” John 8:12 NKJV
