Imitate God in Light (Eph. 5:7–14)

Series: Ephesians: Building the ChurchText: Ephesians 5:7–14

By: Shaun Marksbury Date: May 7, 2023

Venue: Living Water Baptist ChurchOccasion: PM Service

Introduction

Light illuminates Scripture, both literally and metaphorically. Beginning in Genesis 1, we read about a mysterious light without the sun (vv. 3–5, comp. vv. 16–19). Perhaps this light depicts God, who is our light and salvation (Psa. 27:1). Perhaps it portrays the Messiah, which Scripture described as “a light of the nations” (Isa. 49:6).

The Apostle John latched on to this description of the Christ. When he begins speaking about Jesus, he labels Him as “the Light of men” (Jn 1:4). A few verses later, he further says Jesus is “the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (v. 9). His gospel records Jesus as likewise identifying Himself as light (Jn 12:36).

Later, John also says that “God is Light,” having no darkness (1 John 1:5). In John’s apocalypse, he describes a mysterious light in the eternal state, in the new Jerusalem. He records that there will no longer be a sun, but the Lord Jesus Christ will provide the light (Isa. 60:19; Rev. 21:23). With John’s inspired description, the light of the Lord bookends the Bible.

God is light, and the first verse of this chapter says, “Therefore be imitators of God.” As such, it’s interesting here that we talk also about the behavior of believers in terms of light, as we are the “beloved children” of the light (Cf. 1 Thess. 5:5). Just as we are to imitate God in love, now we follow the path that the Lord Jesus Christ illuminates for us. As such, we’ll see in these verses a command to walk within the light (vv. 7–10) and to walk shining the light (vv. 11–14).

Walk Within the Light (vv. 7–10)

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

The “therefore” connects us to what came before in this chapter. With that, read two commands in this passage — one negative (“do not be partakers with them”) and one positive (“walk as children of Light”). These commands, like all in Scripture, are based on our current state before God. We must be able to distinguish and discern in our minds who the they are, who the we are, and what it means to please the Lord of Light. Let’s start by considering the command with the first couple of verses.

Walk in the Light by Distinguishing (vv. 7–8)

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Paul starts by speaking of one who partners or associates with others; the word “partaker” means “having a share with another in some possession or relationship.” We should not become partakers with those who don’t love the Lord and others, those who are sons of disobedience, those who deceive believers with empty words. We are to avoid those who are marked by immorality, and we are certainly not to enter partnership with them (1 Cor. 5:9; 2 Cor. 6:14). The Lord says here not to be partners because sometimes we are.

Now, it doesn’t seem possible to avoid all associations and participations with people. For instance, Paul bought meat offered to idols, doing so without asking questions for conscience’s sake and believing that everything in the earth is the Lord’s (1 Cor. 10:25–27). He met believers who had trouble with this practice, some who might have argued that he not only defiles his body with unholy meat, but that he funds ongoing idolatry with his money. Obviously, he saw a difference, having previously argued that the only way of achieving complete disassociation would be to leave this world (1 Cor. 5:10)! Such an understanding helps us as we struggle with how companies in the marketplace might spend our dollars, investing in groups and organizations we would rather not — ultimately, everyone uses money in a way dishonoring to the Lord, and we would have to leave the world to avoid all associations.

Still, there are issues that are more immediate in their morality, such as our active engagement with unbelievers. This would be a partnership, such as two people agreeing to commit fornication or fraud. Elsewhere, we encounter these words: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14). The sad reality is that sometimes believers engage in activities that leave no difference between them and unbelievers.

We’re supposed to be partakers in the promise of Christ (Eph. 3:6), and part of that promise is transformation. Therefore, he says, “you were formerly darkness.” This is a reminder of who believers were, past tense. It’s both an admonishment not to engage with the sons of disobedience as well as a reminder of the grace of God.

Remember that all people are born into this world not knowing Christ and loving the darkness (John 3:19–21). This darkness is a power and domain in this world, ruled by Satan (Luke 22:53; Col. 1:13). To put it in terms we previously read, unbelievers following the course of this darkness follow the course of the devil (Eph. 2:2). As such, everyone should take note that the Lord has reserved a dark land for those comprising the kingdom of darkness (Matt. 8:12; 2 Pet. 2:17).

However, Christ has converted Christians from darkness into light. He says here, “you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord.” Whereas darkness marked the old man that was put off in the gospel, He made us light to put on in the new man (cf. Eph. 4:22, 24). He, “the Lord,” provides us a light alien to us, belonging to Him. He has brought us from darkness into His light.

And so, He commands us to “walk as children of light.” This is the logical extension of being light. Those who claim to be of the light and walk in darkness lie, don’t practice the truth, and disrupt their fellowship (1 John 1:5–7). So, Christians must be able to distinguish light from darkness.

We need to know the difference between who we were outside of Christ and who we are now. We also need to know how to walk as children of light. Another word for distinguishing is discerning, bringing us to the next point.

Walk in the Light by Discerning (vv. 9–10)

(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

We see here more explanation as to the previous verse, how we can walk as children of light. First, we need to discern the fruit of light. The KJV improperly renders this “fruit of the Spirit,” but perhaps these are parallel thoughts (cf. Gal. 5:22). Since “God is Light” (1 John 1:5), having light manifest in our actions is the natural fruit of our relationship with Him. As like spawns like, light should bear the fruit of light.

We can discern the fruit of the light because it consists of “all” that sums Christian morality. First, it exists in “all goodness.” The Lord’s goodness is present in His is generosity toward His people (Neh. 9:25, 35). Similarly, this would include the love of the previous verses, in contrast to the evil practices that do not love (Eph. 5:1–6). Our “good works” have been prepared by God and therefore come from the light (cf. Eph. 2:10).

Second, the fruit of the light exists in all righteousness. This would be that which the Lord has declared right in His Word, biblical justice before the Holy God. True righteousness is found in the active and passive obedience of Christ. This righteousness, as Scripture demonstrates and defines it, should be also performed by His people (Mic. 6:8).

Third, the fruit of the light exists in all truth. Paul already said the “truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21). So, this is true theology, belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior and the grace of the gospel. This would also be, horizontally speaking, truth-telling in one’s interactions (cf. 4:25). Because the devil can twist truth, though, we must be careful to note that the truth that sanctifies is only the truth of the Word of God (John 17:17).

Biblical discernment helps us to understand this fruit. Fruit grows naturally on the vine — sometimes slowly, always green at first. However, it comes, and it grants us assurance that we are indeed children of the light. As we continue to grow and mature, we may come to discover deficiencies in the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth; that is the Lord preparing us for a greater harvest next year. So, we need to discern the fruit of light.

This helps us to discern the will of the Lord (v. 10), which we will talk more about next time, Lord willing. We read here that we’re “trying to learn,” which means testing, proving, or discerning. Such work is only possible through the transformation and renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:1–2). Discernment isn’t a mystical experience by which we sense what is right and wrong, but an experience that comes through prayerful, biblical learning. We, through a sometimes slow investigation, learn what is in general keeping with goodness, righteousness, and truth. We should care to bear the fruit of being well-pleasing, ultimately remembering that God is well-pleased with Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11).

As we walk in the light, we will find that we are a light in the dark world. We reflect the light of the Son much as the moon does at night. We are, in fact, commanded to do this, bringing us to the next point.

Walk Shining the Light (vv. 11–14)

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

There’s an untranslated “and” that starts v. 11, linking this to the command in verse eight. We’re commanded to walk as children of light, and we’re commanded both to avoid sin and to do good. We will learn this helps the advancement of the kingdom in this world. Let’s start by reading that commission.

The Commission to Shine the Light (vv. 11–12)

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

Once again, we see that we’re not to participate, this time with certain deeds. He calls them “unfruitful deeds of darkness,” contrasting what he said in verse nine to the fruit of the light. Remember in Galatians 5:19, he contrasted the works of the flesh to the works of the Spirit (cf. v. 22). Here, he doesn’t just contrast fruit to unfruitful, or light to darkness, but both. There’s no life given by darkness; it only yields death.

Still, refusing to participate in darkness can be costly. Employers may require their employees to affirm certain lifestyles and decisions that the Bible condemns. Christian employees may think that simply keeping quiet about their opposition to these sins is sufficient, but lack of participation will be enough light to expose those walking in darkness and cause offense. Thus, Christians who live a consistently biblical life may face loses in advancement opportunities, friendships, and even jobs — and that’s to say nothing of divisions in families.

There’s more to the command that we’ve already intimated. The believer isn’t commanded simply to withdraw from participation, but to also expose the darkness to the light. This is a good work within the believer that will allow truth to permeate the sinful recesses of his heart, exposing any darkness there to the truth of God’s Word. It’s also similarly exposing others to this light. Christians who don’t learn to engage in good deeds become unfruitful (Titus 3:14), and, as we’ve seen, we’re commanded to avoid unfruitful deeds.

This exposure doesn’t mean simply to talk about them (see Eph. 5:12). We’re not required to go from home to home, looking for any wrong to bring before the attention of others. Christians are commanded to live a quiet and peaceable life (1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Tim. 2:2), a counterbalance for this command. Indeed, even that will serve to expose sin.

If we do discover a sin that cannot be overlooked, though, then we have a duty to approach that person about it. If we’re dealing with believers who spurn reproof and continue in sin, we are to rebuke them in the presence of the whole church (1 Tim. 5:20); Matthew 18:15–20 gives us the process for church discipline. If Christians are engaging in pagan practices or in sexual vice, then we should correct them. If we neglect exposing the darkness, then we are failing to be light.

Why? He says, “for it is disgraceful” or shameful what the “sons of disobedience” are doing. So, when sins arise of a heinous variety, such as adultery, murder, etc., the proper desire is to discuss these deeds with some propriety, avoiding salacious details. In fact, Christians should not indulge a morbid curiosity concerning such sin.

That’s only part of the disgrace, though. The real shame comes for the perpetrator of the sin — if exposed, even fellow pagans may scold him. This exposure is good for the church as well as for the world around us, and it keeps us free from even a hint of impropriety.

Some have read this command differently, that we’re never to even mention such things. However, the next verse makes it clear that isn’t the case. In fact, there’s a conversion process that takes place, bringing us to the next point.

The Conversion through Shining the Light (vv. 13–14)

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Light exposes what’s hidden, and God’s Word reveals the darkness of the human heart. As such, Jesus said, “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (John 3:20–21). Because of Jesus’s words to the Pharisees, He says they now have “no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22). The revelation can come now or later; “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).

This isn’t just a warning, though. He says, “for everything that becomes visible is light.” Jesus is the light of the world (John 12:46) and He makes His disciples light (Matt. 5:14). The light of the Lord transforms (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6), which is why it’s important to bring the deeds of darkness into the light.

This is talking about salvation, so the deeds being exposed are mainly for the goal of bringing the lost to Christ. So, we read, “For this reason, it says.” Many OT passages include this call for awakening to the dawn, including Isaiah 60:1–2 — “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you.” It’s not clear if Paul intended to quote that psalm, or whether it’s “a fragment of an early Christian hymn that was originally associated with baptism.”

Still, we have a marvelous image of salvation. At that point, the Messiah will shine like the morning, as in Zacharias’s prophecy — “Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78–79). The sleeper awakes from spiritual death and arises from the dead because of the Light of Christ.

This reaffirms that this work is not our own. We don’t just drag that which is hidden into sight out of some self-satisfied sense of justice. Rather, we expose the darkness to the light of Christ for the sake of saving lost souls. Indeed, it reminds us that the light isn’t our own or some disembodied, abstract idea of truth, but that of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is the light that illuminates the heart of man. Still, He shares His light with believers, turning those who were once darkness into light. As we expose the world to His Word, we are sharing in that work, perhaps even seeing those who worked the deeds of darkness become light. May we nevermore engage in darkness with them but instead walk in the purity of His light.