YOU ARE LIGHT IN THE LORD

WEDNESDAY 7 JULY 2021

Light is good and beneficial. It dispels darkness as well as whatever appears to be evil. The presence of light is the epitome of truth, righteousness, goodness and precise knowledge.

Reference: Ephesians 5:8-10 New International Version (NIV) "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."

The trouble of darkness began when Adam and Eve chose to act out of their own self-interest. They were positioned at the right place and the enemy knew that their light exerted authority and dominion. He subtly came and lured them out of light and man got separated from God, the Father of lights (James 1:17). Then darkness began to prevail among men. The components of earthly nature such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, deceit, evil desires, greed, murder, all kinds of ungodliness and idolatry became rampant in the world. All these evil works are first, the thoughts that proceed from within to defile man. In fact, the works of darkness established the root of all evil in man's heart. As a result, man inherited a hostility toward the ways of God which makes it impossible for anyone to please Him.

The helpless condition of man to deliver himself from the bondage and shackles of darkness moved God's heart to love action. Thank God for His unconditional love, mercies and compassion. As a result of His attributes, God sent His only Begotten Son to come and die for the sins of all mankind and deliver man from the bondage and shackles of darkness. The Bible says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6 KJV).

As born again Christians, we are sitteth together in heavenly places in Christ because we have experienced a birth into the spiritual dimension, the realm of God's reign - the Kingdom of heaven. This spiritual birth took place when Christ was raised from the dead into the heavens. According to Colossians 1:18 (NIV), He is described as "the first-born from the dead". As the head and pioneer of the kingdom of light, He blazed the trail into the heavenly places ahead of us, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.

Now here's the Golden news: We are now light in the Lord, designed and expected to live as children of light. As a result of being raised and quickened together with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places, we have risen to the level of the God-class, possessing divine life and light. As light in the Lord, we have access to divine wisdom and we're endued with the ability to make right choices under the Kingdom light.

Apostle Paul therefore described us as people of light. That means in Christ, we are no longer darkness, instead we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own special people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light, so we can demonstrate, express and proclaim His praises, goodness, righteousness and truth. We are today in the kingdom of heaven, under the direct reign of light. And as the children of light and of the day, we are far from being controlled by the forces and influences of darkness. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 4:18; Matthew 5:14; John 8:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

Exuberant Declaration: I'm a partaker of the death of Christ; I'm a partaker of His resurrection; and I've been raised up together with Christ and seated together with Him in heavenly places. Now, being a shining light in the Lord and having His spiritual life, I'm forever a comrade of the God-class, walking in all goodness, righteousness and truth. Praise God!