LEAVE THE LIGHT ON (1): LUXURIOUS LIGHT

(Ephesians 5:7-14)

Ian lived in the backwoods of Scotland. One night his wife went into labor
and the doctor was called. The doctor handed Ian a lantern and said: “Hold
this high so I can see what I’m doing.” Soon, a wee baby boy was brought
into the world. “Whoa, there, Ian!” said the doctor. “Keep the lantern high
… I think there’s another coming.” Sure enough, shortly a bonnie little lass
arrived. But then again the doctor said, “No, no, Ian. Don’t be in such a
hurry to be putting down that lantern, lad … It seems there’s yet another
one besides!” At that, Ian scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the
doctor: “Do ye think it’s the light that’s attractin’ them?”

That, Beloved, would be exactly the point of Paul’s instruction in Eph 5:8,
“Walk as children of light.” He is saying to us – you are light, now leave
the light on – to attract those who darkness. Just like Jesus in Matt 5:16: “In
the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Let it shine so
that people will see God. Frankly, what else are we here for?

The whole Christian life in simplest terms is about living like who we are
instead of who we were. Pre-Christ, darkness owned us; but now – we are
light. We can still choose to live in darkness. But Paul urges, please. No.
Live in grace. Live in light. He says in Eph 5:7-8: “7) Therefore do not
become partners with them (unbelievers); 8) for at one time you were
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Be
who you are. Walk as light! But why? What is so good about light?

I. Light Resides – Within

Look closely at verse 8 again, “for at one time you were [in] darkness, but
now you are [in the] light in the Lord.” Is that what it says? Not quite, is it.
No – the Bible does not say we are in the light. It says we are light. Light
is not a new environment in which we now reside. We are now the
environment in which light resides. It’s not a change on the outside. It is an
inside job -- a fundamental change in our own being that has occurred.
Small difference in phraseology. Big difference in meaning.

Get the picture here. The Bible is not saying we are the same old us, just in
new surroundings. It is teaching we ourselves are new. So live like it. We
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could take a prize pig and move him into a bright, shiny new pen to keep
him clean. Problem is, he’s still a pig, right? And you know what will
happen. Soon the new pen is just as messy as the old. What the Bible is
saying here is, you are no longer a pig in a new pen; you’re a fundamentally
changed man or woman. Not a pig, but a person in a whole new life. The
gate is open. You can go back to the pigpen if you want, but you don’t have
to. To the extent that you do you deny your new identity. Do you see his
point? Not you are in the light – but rather, you are the light. Act like it.

That’s exactly why Jesus could say, “Let your light shine – not someone
else’s but yours” This is the new you! Act like it. Now, I know that some
of you good Bible students are saying, “Wait a minute. I thought it was
Jesus who is the light of the world.” And you are right. He says as much in
John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.” Clear as can be. So, what’s up
with this idea that I am light? Well, Beloved, read the rest of John 8:12: “I
am the light of the world. (But it goes on) Whoever follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” There is no contradiction.
He is the light of the world, but when we got salvation, we got Him, and
when we got Him, we became light, just like He is light. Peter explains that
we actually became partakers in the divine nature. If that doesn’t knock you
off your horse, you’re just not listening. Listen from II Pet 1:3-4, “3) His
divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and
excellence, 4) by which he has granted to us his precious and very great
promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of
sinful desire.” There is no getting around it. We are light. Some say we
reflect the light of Christ, but it is more. We share the light of Christ.

Adrian Rogers tells of some gold prospectors who discovered an

exceptionally rich mine. One of them said, "Hey, we’re rich as long as no
one finds out before we stake our claims." They vowed secrecy. They went
to town for supplies, but returned to chaos. A crowd of people followed
them because their discovery was written all over their faces. What
happens on the inside shows on the outside. Joyful Christians with the light
of God on their faces are needed in the darkness of this world. To hide our
light under a basket is to deny our very being. Light resides – within.

II. Light Results -- in Fruit

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A second reason to walk as children of light – it makes life worthwhile.
Light produces fruit; it gives life meaning; it turns everyday tedium into
something of eternal value. Let’s pick up from middle of verse 8, “Walk as
children of light 9) (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right
and true).” The fruit of light comes in three flavors according to Paul. First,
we will be good. Sounds simple, but don’t be fooled. According to Mark
10:14, “No one is good except God alone.” Of course, that means in the
ultimate sense – but the more we are like Him, the more we are being holy
as He is holy, the more goodness will characterize our lives as well.

Helen asks her five-year-old daughter Heather, “Why can’t you behave like
Tracy next door?” “Because she’s a doctor’s kid,” Heather protests.
“What’s that got to do with it?” her mother demands. “Well, the doctor
always keeps the best babies for himself,” Heather replies. Listen, Beloved,
we are the doctor’s children. That’s us! We belong to the King. Goodness
does not come natural contrary to what you may have been taught. What
comes natural is to hold grudges, to demand that people earn their way with
us, to be unforgiving, to see the worst in others rather than the best, to yield
to temptation, to excuse our own inadequacies. That is what comes natural.
But now that we are light, the inclinations are changing; if they are not, our
conversion is suspect. Light produces the fruit of goodness.

Secondly, light produces that which is right or righteous. The word means
literally to be straight or upright. It defines conduct that is in line with a
higher authority. That higher authority is the character of God. Jesus said
in Matt 6:33, “33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.” What He is urging is that we do
as He did – put the will of the Father first. To do that we have to know
Him. We think we do, but listen to this from Hebrews 5:12-13, 12) For
though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach
you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not
solid food, 13) for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of
righteousness, since he is a child.” God is reprimanding people who were
not in the Word, digging, learning, loving the Word. This is someone like
David who said, “ 48) I will lift up my hands toward your commandments,
which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.” (Psa 119:48). Does that
describe you and me? It should; it is one of the fruits of light. We love the
Word and we meditate in it day and night as he says in Psalm 1, thus
producing works that are righteous.

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Then we have the fruit of truth. Now we know that God’s Word is truth.
But in this context, he is speaking of truth in action. It is not doctrine that
is in view, but deeds. Light will result in a truthful lifestyle. Children of
light act truthfully, honestly and with integrity. That is his point.

An investment counselor was interviewing for an in-house lawyer. She told

one applicant, ""In a business like this, our personal integrity must be
beyond question." She leaned forward. "Mr. Mayberry, are you an honest
lawyer?" "Honest?" replied the job prospect. "Let me tell you something
about honest. My father lent me $15,000 for my education, and I paid back
every penny the minute I tried my very first case." "Impressive. And what
sort of case was that?" asked the investment counselor. The lawyer
squirmed in his seat and finally admitted, "My father sued me for the
money." That would not be living in truth.

Light is simply incompatible with dishonesty on any level. And so, as those
who are light, we must reek of integrity. People should be able to count on
our word regardless of the issue. And if you are it, you don’t have to
advertize it. I used to work with a fellow who prided himself on integrity –
so he wanted to throw the word around in all our advertising, press releases
– every threw the word around so much that people began to wonder why. I
told him one day, “Chris, if you’ve got integrity, you don’ t have to
advertise it. People will get it.” Don’t talk about it – do it. Bc we are light.

III.Light Reaches -- for God

The next thing our passage teaches us is that light is always reaching out to
God – stretching to know Him better. The minute we think we have God
figured out, that is the minute that we don’t know God at all. Look at verse
10, “and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” So, who else would
we be trying to please? How about self? That’s where the competition is,
isn’t it? You know you are walking in the light when you are asking
concerning a job change – is this what God wants, or is this what I want?
You know you are walking in the light when you are asking, will this action
I am about to take reflect glory to God, or am I doing this to flatter my own
ego or get revenge or satisfy my own lust. Listen – the light is always
seeking what will please God. Always.

The little word “discern” there in verse 10 is often translated “test” or “try”.
It is used, for example in Romans 12:2, “2) Do not be conformed to this
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world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and
perfect.” You see, we renew our mind by testing absolutely every
anticipated action for conformity to the will of God. Then we will know
that it is good and acceptable and perfect. The Bible says it even more
succinctly in I Thess 5:21, “21) but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Test everything – everything – and then only hold those things that pass the
test. Throw the rest out. If it doesn’t pass the God test, discard it.

You say, how do you test it? Well, in ancient times shops and bazaars were
simply little covered enclosures with no windows. Often a man might wish
to buy a piece of silk or an article of beaten brass. Before he bought it he
would take it out to the street and hold it up to the sun, that the light might
reveal any flaws which happened to be in it. He would only purchase it, if it
stood the test of the light. So the believer should expose every reaction,
every decision, every motive to the light of the Word of God and to His
principles. The question is always, is it me, or is it God?

Corrie ten Boom, who suffered at Auschwitz during WWII for hiding Jews,
tells how during a time of extreme financial need pre-war, she observed her
father and a wealthy customer. The wealthy man had determined on a cash
purchase of a watch which would have met all their needs. But as her father
was handling the cash, the customer related that he was buying the watch
because Mr. ten Boom’s young competitor could not fix the fine old
watch. Corrie’s father asked to see it, opened it, made a slight adjustment,
and handed it back saying, “It was a delicate problem. It will be fine now. I
trust the young watchmaker. Someday he will be just as good as his father.
Meantime, if you ever have a problem with your watch, come to me. I’ll
help you out. Here’s your money; you don’ t need a new watch.”

Corrie was horrified at the exchange, She flew at her father in reproof, only
to be herself reproved by his patient regard and his gentle question, “Corrie,
what do you think that young man would have said when he heard that one
of his good customers had gone to Mr. ten Boom? Do you think that the
name of the Lord would be honored? As for the money, trust the Lord,
Corrie. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He will take care of us.”
That, Beloved, is testing an action to discern if it is pleasing me or God and
choosing God. That’s how light acts – searching for God in every act.
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 IV. Light Reveals – Evil

Next we find that light exposes evil. Verses 11-12, “11) Take no part in the
unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12) For it is
shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” Now, there are
two or three important points to make with regard to this instruction. First,
some commentators argue about whether it is the works of darkness in other
believers or the works of darkness in unbelievers that we are to expose.
Some use I Corinthians 5:12, -- “12) For what have I to do with judging
outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? – to
suggest that believers cannot expose unbelievers and only God can do that.
But I believe that misses the whole point here. First, it is not people that we
are to expose, it is unfruitful works of darkness. Furthermore, this is not a
call to verbal rebuke; it is a call to walk in the light. Keep the light on which
cannot help but expose evil deeds. Whether they are part of the life of
another believer or unbeliever is immaterial.

This is not a call to the believer is to become a reformer. It is the light in

his life that does the exposing. His Godly lifestyle automatically exposes
sin and evil. Light reveals what the darkness conceals. Darkness is not
driven away by preaching at it; darkness is dissipated by the presence of
light. We have way too many Christian critics. They are part of the "You
shouldn't be doing that" gang. But what is called for here is a lot less talk
and a lot more action. Our business is to turn on the light of the word of
God by the way we live. That doesn’t mean we never say anything, but in
this context, the emphasis is upon how we live. You will not win someone
to Christ by critiquing their conduct. We’re not to try to get the unsaved
man to change his conduct; he cannot change his conduct. He needs to
know Christ. We are to live as light; light will always affect darkness.

J. Vernon McGee tells about a very dear lady in his congregation when he
was a pastor in downtown Los Angeles. She was a dominant character. She
came to him and told him that her husband was unsaved and asked McGee
to pray for him. He did so faithfully. Then she came and told him that her
husband was coming to church but would never accept the invitation to
receive Christ as his Savior. She said, "At breakfast I talk to him with tears
about receiving Christ. Again at dinner I talk to him and cry." McGee said,
“I got to thinking what it would be like to have two meals a day with a
crying woman. So I told her absolutely never to mention the subject to him
again. She should fix them the nicest meals possible and be the sweetest
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person she knew how to be.” "Oh," she said, "that wouldn't work. We are
supposed to witness." She really didn't understand what it meant to be a
witness, but she finally agreed to try the plan. She quit blubbering in his
presence, and she stopped lecturing to him. In less than six months that man
made a decision for Christ. You see, he had been listening to the wrong
preacher before that. She had been preaching to him when she should
have been light. Darkness is not dissipated by lecturing or by preaching.
The darkness is dissipated by light. Walk as children of light.

V. Light Revolutionizes – Life

Now, here is our last point. Light revolutionizes life. This is verses 13-14,
“13) But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14) for
anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Now, look at this
again closely. There are two steps. Verse 13: when something is exposed
to the light, it become visible. No problem there, right? Our Godly lifestyle
shines light on the deeds and actions of darkness going on around us.
Sometimes people even get a little uncomfortable, but that’s okay. Their
sin is being exposed and that is a good thing. So light uncovers – reveals.

But, he doesn’t stop there, does he? He goes on in verse 14, “for anything
that becomes visible is light.” Now we have a progression. First something
was made visible, now what was made visible has itself become light. It
has been transformed. A miracle has happened, just like happened in your
life and mine and darkness has become light. At first blush it might seem
that everything that is exposed to light becomes visible and then is
transformed. Well, we know that happens sometimes, but isn’t it true that
sometimes evil deeds are uncovered, but people go right on in an
unbelieving state? Isn’t that true. And, of course, it is, but why? The
answer is found in Jesus’ words in John 3:19-21, “19) And this is the
judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness
rather than the light because their works were evil. 20) For everyone who
does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his
works should be exposed. 21) But whoever does what is true comes to the
light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in
God.” There is our explanation. Some people see their sin being uncovered
and stay around to let the light do is converting, transforming work. But
others head for the hills at the first sign of light. They hate the exposure of
the light. It reminds them that their deeds are evil and unworthy of God, but
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they don’t want to give them up. They love them. It is their life; it is their
fun; it is what they live for, so they will not come to the light where their
deeds would be exposed. Instead, they run for the border.

Listen to this. II Cor 2:15-16. It is almost chilling but here is what our
lives represent to our friends and fellow-workers and acquaintances: “15)
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved
and among those who are perishing, 16) to one a fragrance from death to
death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” Do you see his point?
When we are walking like children of light, we are in reality the aroma of
Christ – the best image of Him they may ever get. But the chilling part --
same aroma that represents life to some represents death to others. Some
will respond to the light; some will run from it. We can’t control the
outcome. But we can be the light and sometimes it will lead to transformed
lives.

Two brothers were sheep thieves. Eventually, of course, they were caught.
As penalty, the villagers branded them in the forehead with the letters S. T.
for sheep thief. One brother shamefully left town, and was never heard from
again. He ran from the light. The other brother, filled with remorse, stayed
in town and tried to reconcile himself to the villagers. At first they were
skeptical and wouldn’t have anything to do with him. But he was
determined to make restitution. Whenever there was sickness, the sheep
thief was there to help care for the sick person. Whenever there was work
that needed to be done, the sheep thief showed up to help. He was always
there to lend a helping hand and he soon was an integral part of the
community. His life was lived for others and he became well respected.

Years later a traveler came through town. As he sat eating his lunch at a
little cafe, he noticed the old man with the strange brand on his forehead.
People would stop to talk to him and even the children seemed to like him.
The stranger asked the owner of the cafe, “What does the strange brand on
his forehead stand for?” The cafe owner thought for a minute and said, “It
was so long ago. I don’t rightly remember. I think it stands for SAINT.”

Beloved, let’s not hide our light under a basket. At the same time our own
lives are being transformed, our lifestyle can be an invitation to others to
come to the light and experience their transformation. It’s the light that’s
attractin’ ‘em. Let’s leave the light on. Don’t live in your past; live in
your future. Let’s pray.
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