Ephesians 5:1-14

Be Still: Lord, speak to me through your word this morning as I set time aside for you. Amen

Read:  Ephesians 5:1-14

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. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (v8-11)

Encounter: When I was at university, we were required to do 'prep' questions for our seminars. I would only do half the questions and in the session, would answer the ones that I knew the answers to. I was getting away with this for a while when one of my classmates, who knew this was my technique, asked me about a question that I hadn’t done – in front of the tutor. I was exposed! I had to confess, then do the questions I hadn’t done in time for the next session. 

When we read that passage, 'expose' feels like a strong word, right? But let’s look at it in the context. When things are exposed, especially bad things, it gives us and others the chance to correct and change. After I was exposed in class, I always did all the questions so it wouldn’t happen again which is what I should have been doing in the first place! 

We have been called to live in the light as children of God. As the Spirit fills us and we begin to live out this new identity and self in Christ, we know that this change is not only internal, but it is also external. We begin to look different to the people around us as we produce fruit that comes from life in the light, and life with the Spirit. 

Apply: The passage says the fruit of light includes goodness, righteousness, and truth. Which of these is most evident in your life? Which one might need growth?

Devote: Lord, as I commit to walking in the light, please show me how to do this every day. Expose the areas of darkness within me and produce good fruit from my life.