Bible Study - Something More (6) - I Am a Light - Ephesians 5:8-14 - February 25, 2018

Bible Study – Something More (6) – I Am a Light – February 25, 2018

This is our sixth and final lesson in this series entitled “Made for Something More.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 5:8-14

Shine the light of CHRIST.

The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Ephesus. Ephesus was an important city but it also was a beacon for the pagan culture because the temple of Diana was located there. 

As you may recall, Paul angered the silversmiths in Ephesus because they made and sold statues of Diana and pagans converting to Christianity hurt the silversmiths business.

The worship of Diana appealed to the human flesh and was designed to keep those who worshiped this Greek goddess enslaved to the darkness of evil.

Paul was using a before and after example by comparing darkness to light. He reminded the Christians that they once were enslaved in darkness and walked in the darkness of evil but now because they had given their lives to JESUS, they walked in the light of CHRIST.

Once they received the light of CHRIST, they had the responsibility to let their light of salvation shine forth from their lives into the darkness of evil. Light illumines and dispels darkness. Light reveals what is hidden. Darkness hides truth but the light JESUS provides reveals truth.

Spiritual light illuminates areas in times of Spiritual darkness for both the non-Christian and the Christian. Spiritual light has one source and that source is GOD. When a person places his or her faith in JESUS, the light of JESUS fills his or her life with truth. Christians reflect GOD’S light because GOD is the source of Spiritual light. 

We have studied about Christians being unique Spiritual building blocks in the living structure GOD is building whose cornerstone is JESUS. Christians are gifts from GOD to obediently serve HIM at specific times to be a light of hope, a beacon to those in darkness; Christian or non-Christian. As Christians, we are not to have even a smattering of darkness in us or give the appearance of approving of darkness. As Christians, we are to be examples of the true light, which only can be achieved through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit by our lifestyle.

This is GOD’S message to Christians today. Sadly, Christians are compromising and embracing the ways of the world to be politically correct. 

The truth is being watered down to please those whose lifestyles are counter to Biblical truth. Christians must keep in mind that we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. Also, Christians must keep in mind that we are sinners saved by GOD’S Grace and acknowledge that sin is sin. Sin is darkness. Christians are to confess their sins, repent and walk in the light as JESUS is the light. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Ephesians 4:29-32: (Lead-in for Ephesians 5)

29 No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.

As you may recall, Christians are priests. Fellow Christians or non-Christians need a message of hope and encouragement from those who walk in the light. As Christians, all of us are subject to going astray from walking in the light and that is when fellow Christians, who are walking in the light, come to minister to us.

30 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption.

All Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and is every Christians guarantee they are GOD’S child. They are GOD’S ambassadors in the Kingdom of GOD upon earth. As children of the light, we have a responsibility to reflect the light of CHRIST by our lifestyle and being obedient to GOD, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.

32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Let’s read Ephesians 5:1-7: (Lead-in continued)

1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.

The word “therefore” connects back to Ephesians Chapter 4. Christians are 

light because they reflect the light of JESUS as they walk in the world of darkness.

2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

How can a Christian “walk in love?” The word for “love” use here is “agape” or self-giving love that does not demand anything in return. How can a Christian do this? Ephesians 4:30 gives us the answer: 30 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption.

Walking in agape love is the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit within every Christian.

3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints.

Did you know, as a Christian, you are a saint? CHRIST in you makes you a saint because of the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the process of being set aside for the use and purposes of GOD.

I heard Dr. David Jeremiah speak about sanctification. He stated that at the instant of salvation GOD places within every Christian all he or she needs to get to heaven. The process of sanctification is like mining to unearth the precious material already deposited within every Christian. The Holy Spirit guides every Christian to dig within to discover these hidden treasures that meet his or her need. The key is for us, as Christians, to seek and desire the Holy Spirit to guide us to that which we already have within. Doing so builds the right relationship with GOD.

4 And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.

5 For know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

A person’s lifestyle reflects his or her true heart toward JESUS and the One True GOD, YAHWEH.

Light versus Darkness

6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things God's wrath is coming on the disobedient.

A person can fool others regarding one’s relationship with GOD but he or she will never fool GOD because GOD knows our heart. When we place our faith in JESUS, we not only receive redemption from sin and its consequence, eternal death, but the wrath of GOD is removed. Through the miracle of rebirth, Christians become the Children of GOD, which will never change. Once born into GOD’S family, a Christian is always GOD’S Son or Daughter.

7 Therefore, do not become their partners.

Christians are not to become partners with disobedience. Paul was addressing pagan practices. Why? It is because those who associate with pagan practices will incur the wrath of GOD. Since you, as Christians, have placed your faith in JESUS, you are no longer in Spiritual darkness or under GOD’S wrath but have come into the wonderful light of GOD. That is Good News.

Christians need to access who they partner with as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:14:

14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

This includes business and marriage partnerships. The intent is not necessarily to cut yourself off from social relationships but if social relationships entice you to dabble in darkness then sever them – various addictions e.g. pornography, drugs, sex, gambling and the list goes on.

This also applies to any partner relationship e.g. marriage, business, social, etc. Why? It is because, such relationships can lure you back into the darkness you have escaped. Satan then uses your failure to defeat you and prevent you for seeking the true light you once knew.

Let’s read Ephesians 5:8-10:

8 For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. walk as children of light-

The Apostle Paul challenged his readers to think back to their old life when they were in Spiritual darkness. Did they enjoy wandering around in Spiritual darkness? The anticipated reply for true Christians is a resounding “NO!” Why? They have experienced a new life in CHRIST produced by the light they received ---

9 for the fruit of the light [results] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth-

How does a Christian know that he or she is walking in the light? They are to look at the “fruit of the light” produced in his or her life. It takes light to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Back to our focus scripture:

10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.

Discerning what is pleasing to our LORD and not being led by the desires of our flesh and darkness is the peace that passes all understanding.

What an unspeakable joy Christians have when they obediently serve The 

LORD JESUS and GOD where HE plants them, which may be where they are.

Let’s read Ephesians 5:11-14:

11 Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead, expose them.

Christians are not to waste their time participating in fruitless works of darkness but because they know these works are fruitless. They must be avoided and exposed. Exposed to whom?

As fellow humans, we would warn others of pending danger that may lie ahead. Such as, beware there is a poisonous snake in the path you about to trod. Christians who have walked in darkness but who have received the light of JESUS in their lives are equipped to warn Christians or non-Christians of the dangers ahead if they continue to walk in darkness. There are non-Christians seeking a relationship with a, yet to be identified, higher power. 

The world offers many solutions but GOD offers but one true solution, faith in JESUS.

Some may think, “Well you Christians are narrow minded and don’t know the other religions of the world.” Once a person has seen the light which comes through faith in JESUS, truth reigns supreme. Religion is man-made and reflects man’s efforts to reach GOD. But JESUS is GOD reaching down to mankind with HIS love for all who will place their faith in HIS only Son, JESUS. True Christianity is not a religion. CHRIST in you makes you a Christian not what religious group to which you belong.

Do not partner with darkness as the Apostle Paul continues ---

12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

The world’s solution offers to those seeking that which appeals to the flesh. The world’s solution offers temporary pleasure which appeals to satisfy the flesh. However, when the things the world offers are exposed to GOD’S light, truth is revealed ----

13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear,

14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.

What the world offers appears to be a solution until what it offers is tested by the light that only comes from having placed your faith in JESUS, GOD’S only Son. All people without JESUS, the Messiah, are dead in their sins. Those who see JESUS as the promised Messiah and their Savior will see the true light that only comes from the forgiveness of sins and being born into GOD’S family.

2 Corinthians 4:1-7:

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up.

Once Christians realize the love GOD extends to us through HIS only Son, JESUS, we come face to face with GOD’S mercy. JESUS did what no one else could do, not even us trying to live a perfect life because the very best any person can do is like filthy rags to the mercy and grace of GOD through faith in JESUS.

2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God's message, but in God's sight we commend ourselves to every person's conscience by an open display of the truth.

3 But if, in fact, our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4 Regarding them: the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

[2 Corinthians 11:14:

14 And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. ]

5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.

6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness"-He has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

Yes, Christians are clay jars and GOD so loved us that HE sent HIS Only Son to give HIS Sinless Life to pay in full the penalty for sin to redeem all who will place their faith in JESUS so they will have eternal life with Them in Heaven. This was accomplished while we were still sinners as recorded in Romans 5:8-9:

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

Our six-weeks of study began with GOD’S involvement in human birth upon earth at just the right time and circumstances. GOD knew us before the foundation of the world and HE knew when we would be born as captured in Ephesians 1:3-4:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ;

4 for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love

GOD watched as we were being formed in our mother’s womb. We were born physically. (Yes, I believe all conceived who never make it to physical birth are with GOD.)

After we are born physically, the next most important step in our life’s journey is salvation which is redemption from sin and eternal death. When a person places his or her faith in JESUS that person, through the miracle of rebirth, becomes a child of GOD. Once we are born into the family of GOD, there is nothing that can snatch that birth-right away from us.

Our guarantee is the indwelling Holy Spirit!

As children of GOD, HIS desire for each of us is to obediently serve HIM by reflecting HIS light to those in darkness, thus our lessons over the past six-weeks have focused on:

-         I am Wonderfully Made

-         I am a Child of the King

-         I am a minister

-         I am a priest

-         I am just passing through this world because it is not my eternal home

-         I am light

GOD’S desire is for each Christian to yield his or her life to HIM and obediently serve HIM.

Satan often tosses obstacles in our path to prevent us from yielding our lives to HIM, e.g. I may have to go to some foreign country and be a missionary, GOD may call me to be a pastor or some kind of church leader, or ask me to do something I do not want to do and the list goes on. When we are ready to be serious about being obedient to GOD’S call, we will not care what our assignment will be!

How do I know that? It is what I have experienced in my life.

GOD calls us to serve in many different capacities – Pastors, business people, administrators, missionaries, plumbers, welders, various professions, mothers, daddies, teachers, truck drivers, military, law enforcement, government personnel, students, artists and the list goes on. 

Be what GOD desires for you to be. Here I am LORD, warts and all, take my life and use it for YOUR Glory. JESUS will make you and mold you into what HE desires for you to be. 

True happiness is obediently serving JESUS. It is not doing busy activity but serving as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Blessings!!!