Walking in the Light

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.  So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12

Ephesians chapter five exhorts us to be imitators of God, walk in love and live a life of sacrifice, a life poured out and fragrant. What is the kingdom of darkness imitation of sacrifice?  Idolatry; summed up as – immoral, impure and greedy. The word of God says these people will not have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  We need to understand what the significance of this statement.  It does not say you won’t obtain salvation but indicates you will not have any inheritance.  Inheritance represents sonship; which means we receive everything that God has already obtained.  The understanding of this truth is very powerful.  Do I want to remain in idolatry, drawing form my own broken, marred cistern, or do I want an inheritance that is incorruptible and full of light?

We are warned not to be deceived and receive empty words.  The result of walking in deception is disobedience, and disobedience brings the wrath of God.  Our origin was once darkness, and darkness is the familiar territory of the flesh.  We believe the lie that everything is hidden in darkness and that we are safe and secure there.  If we cannot see our condition does that mean it does not exist?

God is asking us to walk in the light as He is in the light, so that we may have fellowship with one another. (Paraphrase my own, reference 1 John 1:7).  What are the fruits of walking in the light?  According to Ephesians 5 verse 9: goodness, righteousness and truth.  People born of the light pursue to find out what pleases God.  God desires to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness.  He wants us to know that whatever is conceived in darkness will bear no fruit, but will only lull us to sleep and that sleep leads to death. This begs the question, “Do we want to live in darkness, living fruitless lives?”  No! We want to be children of the light, putting off the deeds of darkness and being clothed in the armor of light which is love, goodness, righteousness and truth.  Remember if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from the fruitless deeds of darkness.  His mercy triumphs over judgment, walk as children of the light!