Today’s reading is Ephesians 5:1-6:24.

What a great perspective the Spirit has given me through Paul today.

“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” (Ephesians 5:6-10).

I noticed something about this passage that I had never noticed before. Paul does not tell me to avoid the deceptions, walk as a child of light, and try to please God so that maybe one day if I do this all well enough I can be God’s child of light. Notice he actually says I am already a child of light. It is because I am already “light in the Lord” that I should do these things. 

I don’t know about you, but that little shift in understanding helps me. I’m not trying to become something through my own strength. Rather, God has brought me into His kingdom. He has already made me a child of light. My job is to progressively live like it. I don’t have to view every flub as an indication that I’ll never be a child of light. I already am one. Rather, I can see my mistakes as part of the learning process now that I am God’s child and I am walking in the light. Please, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying I’m a child of light even if I decide to just continually walk in darkness. Paul’s encouragement is that continuing to walk in darkness will take me right back to that. But, what I am saying is that I’m not trying to earn my way into this status of being “light in the Lord.” I’m already there. I need to work on living like it.

In fact, how could I not work on that? How could I not show my love for God by walking in His light since He has brought me into this light by His love?

Thank You, God, for making me your child of light. Today, I commit myself to walking in your light.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?