February 16, 2015

Live Out the Light

8For

you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the
Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces
only what is good and right and true. 10Carefully determine what
pleases the Lord -Ephesians 5:8-10 NLT
These verses for today comes from the book of Ephesians, written from the epistle Paul
while in prison. Like all of Pauls letters, it is incredibly uplifting, but the book of Ephesians
diers greatly in its intent. Most of Pauls letters focus on the needs of the people he was
writing to at the time. The letter to the Ephesians is much more formal, focusing on the
heart of what it means to be a Christian. In chapter 1, Paul gives us the joy of saying how we
are predestined to enjoy a relationship with God (Eph. 1:5). After all, that is why God
created us. Even better, is that this perfect relationship is something that is freely given to
us the One he loves (v.6). All we have to do is accept this oer from God and we are given
a world of change in our life, for the better.
Ephesians 5:8-10 describes what happens when we choose to have this relationship
with God. From that decision we are considered no longer a part of the darkness among the
world. We now have the light of the Lord. This light is something that produces only what
is good and right and true. The darkness mentioned before represents everything in the
world that hinders us from living out the light. There are a lot of things in the world today
that are considered okay but keep us from growing with God. Take a moment to think of
some examples.
The world can be a very dark place, which is why it is important for us to determine
what it is that pleases the Lord. The light that is now with you, not only produces what is
good, but is able to guide you toward a more Godly life. Whatever it is that you struggle
with, the light of God is a pathway on which you lead. When you live a life of light you not
only put out the darkness in your own life, but reveal to others the true joy it is to live in a
relationship with God. If you think about it, this was the main intention of Paul writing to
the Ephesians. He knew what it meant to live a life of God, and wanted everyone to know
about it. Take some time to pray to God, thanking Him for this free gift, and the light of the
Holy Spirit that guides us.
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