Step Out of Darkness
Written by Brian Jones
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Ephesians 5:6-11 ESV
The author of Ephesians was Paul, and he was kind of a Scrooge. Before becoming one of the leaders in the Jesus movement, Paul (originally named Saul) was a Pharisee, and he even hunted Christians in order to put them to death (actually, that’s way worse than Scrooge). He believed in God, but he did not like how the Jesus movement was making such a big disruption in the world. After three days of blindness and literally hearing the voice of God, Paul became not only a Jesus follower, but the first one chosen to share the gospel with Gentiles (people who were not Jewish).
Paul saw things as very black and white. He appreciated the simplicity between darkness and light. If Jesus is the light of the world, then when we are not staying connected to him we are in darkness. That’s why he says that God’s wrath comes on all those who are disobedient. But we have the opportunity to be children of the light. Our heavenly father shines his light on us, and through a relationship with Jesus we become children.
Where is a place in your life that still feels dark? It’s time to invite Jesus into that place. Maybe it’s a hidden problem you have, an addiction you’re struggling with, or something that someone else did to you that you’re too afraid to tell someone else. The truth is that when you take the courageous step of bringing something from darkness into the light, it pleases God and brings freedom to your soul. It can be scary entering the light for the first time, but it’s absolutely worth it to experience the freedom and healing of Jesus. Today could be a special day. It could be the day you look back and see that thing you’ve wrestled with in the darkness as a thing of the past.
So when you drive around and see Christmas lights this month, may every light remind you of the light of Jesus, coming into the world to break every chain, shining on every dark place in your life, bringing healing and freedom for your soul.
What is one thing you can bring into the light today?