Day 4 Light Can Have Nothing to do With Darkness

Light Can Have Nothing to do With Darkness

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:11-14 (NIV)

Clearly it is impossible to live in the light without a clear attitude and determination about the darkness, ‘have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness’ (5:11). While the light produces the fruit of righteousness, goodness and truth, the works of darkness are unfruitful, unproductive and barren. We are to take no part in them, and instead ‘expose them’ (5:11). The word ‘expose’ originally meant ‘to disgrace’ or ‘put to shame.’ It later developed the meaning of ‘examining to reprove or convict.’ The interesting shift in the word’s meaning is that it tends away from verbal reproof. It isn’t describing rebuking specific sins but exposing those sins by allowing the light of a Christian to let them be seen for what they are.

‘It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret’ (5:12). The Christian, by living a life essentially different from those around him, exposes those sins. Only light can make visible what lives in darkness. ‘But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light’ (5:13). As our light shows up the darkness of those around us, they are faced with a choice – to turn to the light or away from it. Turning to the light exposes their darkest deeds (John 3:19-21). This is the only way their lives can be changed, by allowing Christ’s dealing with them; then in His mercy as they believe on Him they become light. The darkness is removed by His light which has now become their light. This then is the two-fold effect which a Christian’s light has on the prevailing darkness: it makes visible and it makes light.

Paul concludes his argument with a quotation, which either summarises Old Testament scriptures like Isaiah 9:2; 26:19; 52:1; 60:1, or is an extract from an Easter or baptismal hymn.

Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

Our former condition in Adam is graphically described in terms of sleep, rising from death, and being brought into the light of Christ.

And don’t even associate with the servants of darkness because they have no fruit in them: instead reveal truth to them. The very things they do in secret are too vile and filthy to even mention. Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul. This is why the Scripture says,

Arise, you sleeper! Rise from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!” Ephesians 5:11-14 (the Passion Translation)

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