DAY 14 Walk in Love and Light - Ephesians 5:1–14

1. SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:1–14
Walk in Love
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper, 
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”  

2. OBSERVATIONS :
-  What did this passage mean to its original audience?
They lived in a city full of pagan worship. First-century Ephesus was a major Roman center, known for the temple of Artemis (Acts 19:23–41). Religion and magic were part of daily life (Acts 19:19), and many believers had once been part of it, so "darkness" (v.8) described the life they came from.

Their old culture was tied up with immorality and greed. Paul's list in vv.3–5 would have sounded familiar to them. Calling greed "idolatry" (v.5) would have hit home in a trade city where a whole business depended on selling silver shrines of Artemis (Acts 19:24–27).
Everyday speech needed to change too. Paul even addresses "filthiness," "foolish talk," and "crude joking" (v.4), so leaving the old life showed up in how they talked.

They needed a clear identity. To a small group surrounded by a very different culture, "you are light in the Lord" (v.8) reminded them who they were: they had a new Father (v.1). Instead of blending in (v.7), they were meant to shine as light and invite others to wake up and come to Christ (vv.11–14).

-  What does this passage reveal about God?

•  God reveals His loving heart as a Father who calls His children to imitate His character (v. 1), and He shows us the true meaning of love through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself up for us (v. 2).
• God is holy, he takes sin seriously and He sets a clear standard for His people (vv. 3–7).
•  God is light, and he brings people out of darkness and gives them a new identity in Christ (v. 8).
  
  

-  What does this passage reveal about people?

• Human beings were originally created in the image of God (Gen 1:26–27), reflecting His character and representing His purposes in the world. But because of sin, we are unable to reflect His character fully on our own. Yet in Christ, who is the perfect image of God (Col 1:15), God is restoring us. As a result, believers receive a new identity as "beloved children" (Eph 5:1) and as "light in the Lord" (v.8). We are called to be "imitators of God" (v.1), to "walk in love" (v.2), and to "walk as children of light" (v.8), reflecting His restored image in our daily lives.
  
  
• Believers are explicitly instructed not to partner with or participate in "unfruitful works of darkness" (vv. 7, 11). Instead, Christians are called to actively discern what pleases the Lord (v. 10) and expose darkness by letting Christ’s light shine through their holy conduct (vv. 11–14).

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
a. How does this change my attitude?
I am a beloved child of God (v.1), and I am light in the Lord (v.8). Therefore, I want to be like my Father. I want to become like the holy, merciful, and loving God: to stay away from sin, to love others, and to live as light in this dark world.

b. How does this change my affections (what I love / feel)?
It fills me with thankfulness. Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me (v.2). It also gives me a desire for what pleases the Lord (v.10). I want to enjoy what is good and right and true (v.9) more than what only feels exciting for a moment.

c. How does this change my actions?
This week, I will be deliberate about my language. I won't join in gossip or crude jokes at work, and I won't tear others down. Instead, I'll say something thankful or encouraging. At the end of each day, I'll tell God three things I'm thankful for. I'll also take an honest look at my entertainment choices, such as social media, shows, and music. I don't want to enjoy the very "works of darkness" that Christ gave Himself up to save me from (vv.2, 11).

4. PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am Your beloved child and that You have made me light in the Lord. Help me to be like You: holy, merciful, and loving. Thank You, Jesus, for loving me and giving Yourself up for me. Fill my heart with thankfulness, and teach me to want what pleases You more than what only feels exciting for a moment.

This week, help me watch my words, and keep me from gossip, crude jokes, and tearing others down. Help me to choose wisely what I watch and listen to, so I don't enjoy the works of darkness. Holy Spirit, help me to walk in love and live as light in this dark world.

In Jesus' name, amen.