Children of Light
Rachel Kotraba

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14, NIV
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 

Devotional
One of my favorite things is spending time in prayer first thing in the morning in my front sitting room. When the weather is clear, the sunlight pours through my window and illuminates the whole room. It’s warm and comforting, it makes me feel more alert and even nourished (a little boost of Vitamin D), it makes the room clearer, brighter, more visible. I imagine that God’s radiant light is shining on me. Maybe that I'm even basking in His love? This time in His light, making a concerted effort to study His word, to pray, and listen for His voice helps me to blot out a dark night of sleepless worry or anxious thoughts; things feel calmer, clearer, and less scary in the light of day. I can trust that each day is new, and I thank Him for that light, for our time together, for his comfort and love.

As Christians, thanks to many scriptures in the Bible and specifically to the apostle Paul in the above scripture, we come to know our Lord Jesus as light. Maybe you’ve had a nightmare in the middle of the night, and turning the light on takes the fear away because you can see what’s true and real, you can see the light in all of the dark corners of the room. Jesus as light can work that way in our lives…Jesus, the light of the world, a beacon, a shining presence, guiding us, giving us hope and safety from the darkness. What if we could strive to become of the light, too?

In this scripture, Paul calls us to live as "children of light," reflecting our new identity in Christ, contrasted with our past darkness and sin, before we knew Christ. We need to live in a new way. He gives us clear instructions and emphasizes how to live to please the Lord, even going so far as to say we should imitate God at the beginning of this chapter (“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.”) We should focus on the fruit of the light–of goodness, righteousness, and truth versus sin and the fruitless deeds of darkness (immoral and disobedient deeds, which are also described in preceding verses). 

This scripture is a call to live intentionally and spiritually for Christ. We used to be one way, living in darkness. Now we know Christ and have the confidence of knowing salvation and His brilliant love through redeeming grace and the ultimate promise of eternal life. We are brought into the light. As children of light, our very nature is transformed. This light brings clarity to how we live. We are called to awaken from our spiritual slumber and to intentionally "find out what pleases the Lord" and live that way, rather than follow the world. 

So what does living in His light look like? To me, this could look like: 

• Striving for holiness and being intentional to follow God’s Word and not the world
• Finding hope in our promise of eternal life
• Actively turning away from sin 
• Reflecting God’s character by being kind, loving, generous, honest
• Doing good
• Standing strong in faith and sharing your faith with others so they may come to know the love and salvation of Jesus Christ
• Pursuing a regular prayer practice, inviting God in, and communing with God 
• Giving thanks and praise
• Being truthful about struggles and asking for forgiveness, strength, and guidance even if we fall back into doubt, into sin, into darkness

Jesus as light is one of my favorite aspects about Him. And, this scripture is so hopeful. To live as children of light is a beautiful charge, our inheritance as Christ followers. As we strive to live as children of light, what can that light bring into our lives?  It helps us see Him, it helps us grow in Him, it transforms us in Him, it gives us eternal life in Him, and it helps us shine His light for others to see. 

What does living as a child of light look like for you? 

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving Word that teaches us how we should live and how to walk in faith with You. Thank you for the privilege of being your children. Help us to be more like you. Please shine your beautiful, loving light over any darkness in us so that we are transformed in You. Help us shine your light to others so they may know You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.