You Were But Now!
At one time, I was characterized by my foolishness. I was known for my antics and my carelessness. But something happened. I was born again! It altered who I am and made me into a brand new person with different likes and dislikes than before.
Those who knew me prior to being born again knew me according to being someone different. Should they encounter me now and attempt to relate to me on that basis, it would be awkward for them as they would learn quickly that I am no longer the person I once was were it not for His grace.
The change is so dramatic that if they try to continue relating to me according to something that is no longer, they will be gravely disappointed and likely feel foolish for doing so. There will definitely be no joy in it for them. I do not feel the need or urge to fall back into that old way of life.
It is the difference between light and darkness. The two cannot dwell together. Where there is light, darkness cannot remain. Darkness exists where there is no light. You do not have the two occupying the same space at the same time because it is not possible. Light always expels darkness. I’ve been set free by Jesus to walk in His light!
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Did you catch that first phrase? You are light in the Lord! Walk as children of light! You get to walk as what you are now in Christ!
You were darkness without Him. But now, the light of the world has come to live within you, and you have become a child of light. That means you get to walk as a child of light—you get to walk in the fruit of the Spirit! What was once alien to you has become normal.
The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. You know the difference between darkness and light now. You are no longer stumbling around in the darkness and tripping over things for lack of sight. You can see the disaster ahead when darkness is chosen, and therefore, you are able to illuminate the dangers of it.
That’s what it means not to have fellowship with the works of darkness but rather to expose them. It’s not merely declaring that something is wrong. It is the ability to communicate the danger of the thing itself. It’s the ability to communicate that there is a better way. It is that you have discovered what is acceptable to the Lord. You have found that what is acceptable to Him is a path of blessing for you.
Remember, you were once darkness, BUT NOW, you are light in the Lord. Walk as a child of light!
