Let there be light
Darkness…existed before anything was. In Genesis 1.2, we are told that “darkness was over the face of the deep” “and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”. Guess what first thing God created—yes, light! God pronounced it good and separated the light from the darkness. That is where we get night and day. Not to overlook one major point here—God said—he spoke, and it happened. He didn’t form a company, a Board, raise money, implement a plan of action—no, he spoke!! God’s word did it! Well, actually, God’s Word (Jesus) did it. Where does it say that, Bill? Read John 1.1-5. It’s all there.
Today, we see so much darkness in our world. Personal and spiritual darkness. It is acted out in so many ways. People operating out of relative truth as opposed to Biblical truth—absolute truth. God’s truth is perfect ‘light’. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” as recorded in John 8.12. But he said elsewhere during the sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes. “You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5.14a). He was speaking about us who have tasted salvation.
Children of light
I am teaching Ephesians and Paul is addressing the church in that region. He strongly emphasizes the point that they were once people of darkness. “Therefore, do not become partners with them (sons of disobedience); for at one time you were darkness, but now you are children of light” (Eph. 5.7,8). We must realize that these converts had come from total darkness, as there was no New Testament, just letters and traveling evangelists. Reflect on your experience. Were you in ‘total darkness’ like them? I bet not. In America we have Bibles, churches, Christian schools, you name it. Mine was more like a dusk.
But we all have, due to our sin nature, darkness within us. Dads, your children (I know, they are perfect) have been born with a sinful nature due to the fall. There is darkness in their lives. Are you addressing their eternal need for the True Light, Jesus? Are you ‘light’ in their dark world? Can they see Jesus in you? Have you ever shared the gospel with them? Do you even know how? (If not, call me, we’ll cure that.)
Walk worthy of you calling
Paul challenges the Ephesians and us to ‘walk worthy of our calling’. And he prays for them in chapters 2 and 3 that they would receive wisdom to walk worthy. Then he goes on to highlight what it looks like.
- Walk in oneness/unity
- Walk in newness of life
- Walk in love
- Walk in the light
- Walk in wisdom
Dads, your children and extended family need to see you ‘walking worthy of your calling’. The light of truth, the word, in the power of the Spirit, is the only way. The old nature, the flesh, is powerful. It wants to drag you back into darkness, and it is supported by two powerful advocates—Satan and this world. You, alone are no match for any one of these, let alone all three. Be encouraged— “Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4.4). Jesus exhorts us to “Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5.16).
Are your children seeing darkness or light?
