Last week we replaced the light bulbs in our bedroom with LED daylight bulbs. With a flick of a switch our bedroom went from a soft light to a“ hello world” light, if you know what I mean. The difference in brightness was amazing. I was thrilled, until, I spotted the dresser. It wasn’ t the dresser itself, but the substance covering the dresser. Had someone crawled upon the dresser and died? I mean there was enough dust for God to create a large person.
At once, I retrieved a duster and tried removing the dead person occupying my dresser. Then I discovered, not only was the top of the dresser covered, but the dust had also seeped into the crevices. As I dusted, I thought about the light and how its brightness had revealed the dust. And then a light bulb formed above my head and God reminded me that sin is like dust. It is there, it weighs us down, it creeps into every aspect of our life and it is nasty!
There are several lessons to be learned in Ephesians 5: 13-14. First, Paul is telling them that their evil intentions or sins will be exposed. Like the new bulbs that illuminated the dust on my dresser, one’ s sins have a way of becoming public, at least two people know at once; the sinner and God. Further, Paul tells them their sins will be revealed when the light shines on them. Does that mean Paul purchased new bulbs as well?
When Paul states sin will be disclosed as the light shines on them, he is denoting that Christ, the light of the world will bring to light the hidden things of darkness( John 8:12). When one becomes a Christian, we are given help from the Holy Spirit. One of the Spirit’ s jobs is to convict us of sin. The good news is that Christ is in the cleaning business. He is more than willing to dust us off( Forgive us). But first, one must recognize they are sinning, ask for His forgiveness and turn from the sin.
In the following verse, Paul is telling them that the word of God says,“ Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” He is speaking to those still living in darkness and sin. True light comes from Christ. He is the only one that can save us from our sins and impart to us the light we need to recognize and overcome sin.
When one has admitted they are a sinner, acknowledged that Christ is God’ s son, repented of their sins and committed to live for Him, they are a new creature. They are given a light and task of letting their light shine before others. Matthew 5:16 states,“ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Christians are to model their life after Christ so that others wish to have a relationship with Him. So go ahead, shine your light!
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