For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 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. (Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV)
Paul says that we were once darkness but are now light in the Lord. I find it interesting that Paul does not say that we were once in darkness but now are in the light. Rather than being in darkness, we were darkness. And now, rather than being in the light, we are light. He is describing, not just a change of location, but a change of nature. I didn’t just move from one location to another. But I died with Christ and was raised as a new person.
When I was darkness, I would invest time in finding out what pleased me. I was the center of my world. And I sought out those people, places, and activities that would bring me pleasure.
But now that I am no longer darkness, but light, the focus should change. Rather than living for myself, I should be living my life for the pleasure of another. For the pleasure of the one who died for me and redeemed me from the darkness.
Find Out What Pleases the Lord
So, Paul says, find out what pleases the Lord. And the implication is that as I find out what pleases him, that is what I will do. Finding what pleases him, but not doing that, really accomplishes nothing. And is actually worse than nothing. Because I am responsible for what I do with what I know.
Finding what pleases the Lord, and doing it, is a journey. As we grow and practice our faith, we will more and more find out what pleases Him. It will be an ongoing process as long as we live in the flesh. But it is a worthwhile journey.
But now that I am no longer darkness, but light, the focus should change. Rather than living for myself, I should be living my life for the pleasure of another. For the pleasure of the one who died for me and redeemed me from the darkness.
That is ‘a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God’ Eph. 5 v 2. Live your life for the pleasure of another because your light shows them who God is and what it means to be ‘adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ’ Eph. 1 v 5.
Thank you for highlighting the state of being darkness or light. It shows that Paul’s focus is on transformation of identity from whatever they (we) were to being a dearly beloved child of God. Eph. 5 v 1.
Yes, we are no longer what we were, but have been made new.
May the Lord bless and use your ministry to transform many lives.
Thanks
Thanks. That is my desire and prayer.
The humility that Christ has formed in your character is unmistakable and inspiring, my brother. Praise the LORD!
Thanks. It is indeed the work of the Holy Spirit within that is responsible for any transformation in my life.