EPHESIANS 5:14

This is why it is said:  wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.      

TO PONDER

In previous verses Paul is encouraging his readers to be more like Christ.  He uses ‘light’ for our new life in Christ as a contrast, to “darkness” for our old life in the world, as a metaphor.   Whereas, when this verse stands alone, it serves as a reminder that we should wake up to the “light” and truth, loose our complacent outlook and to make a conviction, and turn from sin.

I remember playing a game at a party, two truths and a lie.  Back when I was younger, we used to think it was great fun to see how much our friends knew about us.  So, taking the plunge in a completely different culture and situation, I introduced this in my English class back here in Australia, with a diverse group of students.  The students got into the swing of it.  It was interesting to learn that to lie, was accepted in some of their cultures.  We need to realise that we are not following a culture, but the light and truth of Christ as Paul encourages us to do.

Let’s ask ourselves, do we live a lie daily?  Do we tell ourselves we are travelling in the “light” or are we just getting by on the fringe of both “light” and “darkness” where we can’t find the balance of where truth starts and the lies end? 

We need to encourage each other to be careful how we live – do we make the most of every opportunity to “wake up” and walk in the light and truth, to be wise and not unwise?

A quote from Charles H Spurgeon is ‘To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.’

There’s a Sunday school song that says “This little light of mine, this little light of mine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”   Why not let His light shine on your life.

PRAYER: I pray Lord that there is a light in my life that shines through for others to see.  Lord as others come into your light, I pray that someone is there to offer encouragement and lead them further.  Help me Lord to make every opportunity to walk beside others, count. AMEN

Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock, LifeWay Online