Ephesians 5:8-9. 8for 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),
BE what you ARE.
This is the foundational truth of the entire Christian life. Every other religion asks us to BECOME what we SHOULD BE. But not Christianity. Christ’s word to us is quite different. Only the gospel tells us what we ARE before it asks us to BE.
Look at how it’s expressed in Ephesians 5:8-9 above: You ARE light. Walk as (BE) children of light.
In Gospel Christianity, our ethic (walk as light) always flows from the power of our identity (you are light). And notice that we are not just standing IN the light. We ARE the light. Jesus was not just IN the light, or a pointer to the light, nor was he revealed by an even greater light. He IS the light of the world.
And now, because we ARE light, we walk as children of light. We live in the light. This, of course, carries with it all kinds of moral and ethical applications. This is exactly where Paul goes next:
Ephesians 5:3-4. 3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Here’s the glorious truth of grace: When you are given a new imputed identity, you no longer have to go desperately searching for your own. The more and more we trust our identity in Christ, the less and less we need sexual immorality, or impurity to satisfy us. The less and less we need to covet another’s identity. We are light! We are in Christ. What’s left to covet? What desire is left unsatisfied? None.
And then comes the scary reminder:
Ephesians 5:5-7. 5For 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. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them;
Is Paul saying that each time we sin we lose the Kingdom of God? Not at all. He’s saying that if you are light (you are), then why would you ever choose darkness? If we are God’s children (we are), then why would we choose to walk like those who are not inheriting the kingdom?
So again, BE what you ARE. Shine your light.
Ephesians 5:11. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Shine your light and expose the darkness. Shine God’s love and expose hate. Shine God’s love and expose fear. Shine God’s love and expose doubts. Shine God’s love and expose the deception of sin.
To live is Christ has made us children of light. We are not light so that we can avoid darkness. We are light so that we can dispel darkness while spreading God’s light.
You: Are you light? why or why not?
You in Christ: Can you connect the idea of “be what you are” to union with Christ?
Christ in you: Where can your love expose darkness today?
To Live is Christ 