Children of Light

Introduction

A. When did you know that you were no longer a child but an adult? When did you know that you were no longer young but was older? When did you know that you had moved from trusting others to help make decisions to being trusted to make good choices? The lines marking those transitions are not always easily seen or noticed. We have certain lines of demarcation in our culture, but these lines are not clear for every person. While an auto insurance company recognizes that a certain age or even like marriage moves a person from youth to adult, age nor events do not always clearly define that movement. I suppose there is some recognition of moving from younger to older when someone puts “Mr.” or “Mrs.” in front of your last name or they say “sir” or “ma’am.” Both are signs that you are older even though inside your head you are not….yet.

B. In chapters 1-3, Paul has set the theological foundation for what he writes in chapters 4-6. In those early chapters, he establishes that God’s intent has been to bring all people into one body through the work of Jesus. Those who are part of this body enjoy numerous spiritual blessings. But the key is to realize that being in this body means that we reveal the character and wisdom of God. Then beginning in chapter 4, Paul begins to give practical application to what it means to be the church of God. While he has given some very practical ways that one is to live for God, he has focused on the change in attitudes that come with our salvation. Such is the case in the text we are going to see today.

C. In our text this morning, Paul is going to point out contrasts which reflect our lives before Christ and our lives after Christ. While he will write about conduct, his real interest in on attitude. We may be surprised by what we read and we may be encouraged to make changes if our hearts are open today. Let’s sing songs of praise and thanksgiving as we center on these two attitudes today.

Darkness and Light

A. I want to turn your attention to verse 8 in our text. Here is the contrast that Paul is making in this section. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Interesting way of making this contrast. He doesn’t say “once you were in darkness, but now you are in the light.” He says once you were darkness but now you are light. Before we came to know Christ and his love, our very being was darkness.

B. We lived as people who celebrated our darkness. We lived as people who tried to make it in this world by our own wit and strength. Notice how Paul describes how darkened people live.

1. Sexual immorality was a part of our lives. Behavior which reflected our own decadence and our own desire to be satisfied rather than reveal God’s beauty.

2. Impurity a catch all phrase pointing to life choices which exalt self rather than exalting God.

3. Greed — selfishness to an extreme degree. Desire for not only what another has but a desire for more for its own sake.

4. Obscenity — shameful speech from cursing to tearing down others

5. Foolish talk — talk that distracts from important discussions

6. Coarse joking — humor which makes fun of a person so the person is embarrassed or held up to public ridicule. This type of humor cuts people instead of building them up.

C. Paul goes on to say that our darkness meant that we had no place in the kingdom of God. Such behavior describes us as idolators — putting something before God. Instead, Paul says as those who have come into God’s family we are light. So we are to live as children of light. Remember Jesus called himself the light of the world. Paul seems to be taking that idea and adding some punch to it. We are children of the light. We belong to the one who brought light into existence; who came as light to the dark world; live as his children. How do they live?

D. In verse 9, those who are light live with demonstrating goodness, righteousness, and truth. We live to benefit others, revealing God’s character, and with a genuineness of integrity. But we also live according to verse 10 to please the Lord. It isn’t about us; it is about God. It isn’t about what we want (selfishness) but about what God wants. We are to avoid the life of darkness and live the life of light. Again in verses 16-17, Paul says that living light makes wise choices and comes to understand what the Lord’s will is. The implication, of course, is that when we know God’s will we honor that will and live accordingly.

Application

A. So what does all of this mean to us? While Paul gives specifics about how we are to live as children of light and what the life of darkness we are to avoid, notice how Paul characterizes this whole section. In verse 4 as he describes speech to be avoided, he emphasizes that thanksgiving is to come from our lips. Then in verse 20 our singing is to reflect the attitude of thanksgiving as well. As if there is a parenthesis around this section, Paul begins and ends this section with a call to thankfulness. This is what marks those who belong to Jesus. Followers of Jesus are thankful. Followers of Jesus are known by words and actions of thankfulness.

B. Look back up to verse 2. Paul commands that our life is to be lived in love just as Jesus lovingly lay down his life for us. Think back on Jesus’ life. Was there a time when Jesus wasn’t thankful? Was there a time that Jesus grumbled and complained? His life was life in perfect submission to God filled with thankfulness and love. We are to be like that.

C. The words out of mouths should be thankful words. Words which build up not tear down. Our actions need to reflect our thanksgiving and praise. Our songs should be songs sung with thankful hearts. Let’s sing now with much thanksgiving and praise.

D. ILL. “Identity — Dog Tags.” As a follower of Jesus we have a new identity. It is an identity that finds its meaning in the person of Jesus. It is an identity that exudes thankfulness. It is an identity that rejoices in being known in words and actions that reflect the image of God. Our lives find their meaning in God. Invitation.

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