Light

Author: Pastor Thomas G. Wilson
May 12, 2020

Ephesians 5:8 KJV For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

 

In this verse from Ephesians chapter 5 the King James translates the Greek word “pote” as “sometimes”. “Pote” is an indefinite adverb in this sentence, meaning, it qualifies the verb “were”; it expresses a relation of time in this instance. This “relation of time” is indefinite in the sense that it doesn’t merely refer to a point in time but rather the aggregate of past history. It could also be translated as formerly. The Weymouth Translation expresses it this way “There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself.” The Apostle Paul was making clear reference to the former state of those in the church at Ephesus to clearly distinguish their previous history from what they had become.

 

The imagery of light and darkness vividly expresses profound life-change that had taken place. It is interesting that no one has to be taught or encouraged to walk in darkness. It is an unavoidable outcome of developing habits based on one’s own natural wisdom and desires. For some, there is this personal idea that for them, the necessity of total transformation is not essential because they view themselves as not “as dark” as others. That’s like saying ‘I was only a little dark’ or for a pregnant woman to say ‘I’m just a little pregnant’; NO YOU ARE PREGNANT. This can also be an excuse for some to continue some “old” behavior mixed with some “new”, but light and darkness cannot be mixed. Light refers to the state of clarity, vision, purity, radiance, and full exposure. Full exposure unashamedly displays the simplicity, beauty, wisdom, authority, power and completeness of a life in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that light was never intended to be hidden under a basket but to be elevated to a place of conspicuousness utility and function…thereby giving light to all.

 

God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all! So walk as children of the Light being and let your light shine! Determine to allow Father God through Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things, to show you how to walk as light.

 

 

For further reading: Matthew 5:14-16; 1 John 1:5-7; John 1:1-12

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