Live in the Light!

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 4:17 5:1 (NRSV)
Life lived in Christ

Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,


DEVOTION

I love today’s scripture reading right after Epiphany! On yesterday I challenged all of us to be Epiphany Stars, shining brightly in the darkness, and leading our friends to Christ.

Today, Paul illuminates what a life lived in the Light should look like. He says that when people look at CHRISTians they should see people who are: full of wisdom, enjoy intimacy with God, have hearts that are soft to Spirit, are sensitive and circumspect people, and who are generous and abundant in their giving to God and to others. They should also see folks who walk in righteousness and holiness, speak the truth, and do not hold onto anger or grudges. Finally, when they encounter us they should meet people who are willing to work hard, share with the needy, advance the gospel, speak kind and gentle words, and are always ready to forgive!

In short, when we allow the Light of the World—Jesus Christ—to shine in and through us, people ought to JESUS, whom we seek to imitate in every way!

Many people love to sing the song, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let It Shine!” That song is a promise and a pledge to allow the Light of God to shine through us and into the darkness of our world.


Will you share Light with those in need of it today? If so, let us pray:

JESUS, you are the Light of World. Help me to share you light with those who dwell in darkness. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit, such that I am able to be a true imitator of Jesus on this earth, until you come from Heaven. I love you and I promise to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html