Daily Devotional for Friday 27th September
Shining Light: Embracing Your New Identity
There are some people in this world who just seem to shine! I have a friend whose face literally lights up a room. She could wear an all-black outfit, and still illuminate a place, and transform the atmosphere just by her smile.
Paul begins with a powerful reminder of the transformation that has taken place in every believer’s life: ‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.’ Notice that Paul doesn’t say we were merely in darkness, but that we were darkness. Our very nature was marked by the absence of God’s light. Yet through Christ, we have been fundamentally changed. Now, we are not just in the light—we are light in the Lord. This new identity calls us to live in a way that reflects God’s goodness, righteousness, and truth.
To ‘live as children of light’ means to allow the light of Christ to shine through every part of our lives. It’s a call to authenticity, to living in a way that is consistent with our new nature. Paul describes the ‘fruit of the light’ as consisting of all goodness, righteousness, and truth. These qualities reflect the character of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Our daily choices, actions, and words should demonstrate these virtues, revealing Christ to those around us.
Paul also urges us to ‘find out what pleases the Lord.’ This involves a continual pursuit of God’s will, learning what is pleasing to Him through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Walking as children of light is not a one-time decision but a daily, intentional effort to align our lives with God’s desires.
The command to ‘have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them’ may seem harsh, but it comes from a place of love and concern. The deeds of darkness are fruitless—they lead to emptiness and destruction. As children of light, we are called not to participate in such deeds but to expose them. This doesn't mean condemning others but living in such a way that our lives shine God's truth and love, revealing the emptiness of life apart from Him.
Paul explains that ‘everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.’ When the light of Christ shines on our lives, it reveals areas that need transformation. It is often uncomfortable to have our sins and shortcomings exposed, but it is necessary for growth. God’s purpose in this exposure is not to shame us but to bring healing, redemption, and ultimately to make us lights that shine for others.
The closing call, ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you,’ is a powerful invitation. It reminds us that Christ calls us out of spiritual slumber into a vibrant, awake life where his light shines on us and through us. We are no longer to live as if we are in the darkness but to rise and embrace the new life Christ offers.
Time to reflect…
Are there areas in your life where you are still walking in darkness or avoiding God’s light?
How can you intentionally ‘live as children of light’ today?
In what ways can your life serve as a light that exposes the fruitlessness of darkness while pointing others to the love and truth of Christ?
Pause to pray…
Lord, thank You for transforming us from darkness to light in You. Help us to live as children of light, reflecting Your goodness, righteousness, and truth in every area of our lives. Give us the courage to expose and turn away from the fruitless deeds of darkness, and to pursue what pleases You. Wake us up from any spiritual slumber and let Your light shine on us and through us, so that others may see Your glory and be drawn to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
