Paul brings up their past as he had already done in Ephesians 2. The reason he reminds them of the past is so that they can look back from where they came and rejoice in the difference Christ has made in their life. In verse 8 Paul tells his readers that they “were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Although their past was full of sin and regret, Jesus Christ had brought forgiveness and redemption enabling them to have fellowship with God. Because of forgiveness, believers are now commanded to walk in light (truth) and Paul even mentions the fruit of the Spirit in this context. Walking in light always results in bearing fruit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc.). As Paul has been teaching throughout the book of Ephesians, the distinction does not descend from skin color or heritage, but by the way a person conducts their life. A follower of Christ walks in the light and an unbeliever walks in sin. Ephesians 4:11 points out that Christians should “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Paul goes on to say that “it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” Sin should not be a part of a Christian’s life because it identifies them with the works of Satan and the world; in fact, sin should not be a topic of discussion amongst believers because it can influence a person’s mind. So, what is the judge of sin and righteousness? God’s word is truth and is the standard by which we compare our life. The word of God is perfect and the pure revelation of the character of God so we should carefully heed and obey it. Paul makes a plea to any who still do not believe by quoting Isaiah 60:1: “awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” One of the main purposes of living the Christian life is to continually become a follower of the light and forsake the works of darkness. Through God’s power and strength, we can walk in the light.
Dear God, I want to walk in the light of You. Help me to keep myself pure from the works of Satan and the world.
