06/10/2011 - WE ARE LIGHT IN THE LORD

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…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8

There are two periods of time in the life of every convert: one before salvation and one after it. The act of salvation is more than switching from one religion to another because through it God performs a series of works in those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Among such works the greatest is the re-creation of the human spirit. As we were born under the authority of the devil, – becoming his servants in the darkness – when we receive salvation, we are remade in Christ and become new creations (II Corinthians 5:17). The new birth experience is not only outstanding in the lives of those who go through it, but it is also essential because only those who are born again will be admitted to Heaven (John 3:3).

Because our spirit is darkness it has nothing useful to offer, therefore we need to be remade in the Son of God to have spiritual value. After all, as man died in Adam we are born under the sway of the evil one, destined to hell. By nature, we were the very blackness – like those who still have not accepted Christ. Those who find themselves in this situation are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and if they do not open their hearts to Jesus, they will never cease to be darkness.

For the born-again the reality is quite different: spiritually, they are transported from the empire of darkness and conveyed into the Kingdom of Light (Colossians 1:13), becoming part of it. Now, their former owner can no longer control them and force them to do his will – not even if he tries. It is up to God\’s children to say “no” to Satan, because if they are led into temptation, they will do the same things the lost ones do.

All converts who are now light in the Lord must walk as children of Light. To achieve this end they must renounce ungodliness and evil deeds, strive to reign in life and honor the One who drove them out of the empire of suffering, sin and all other evils. Walking as a son of light is to hold your head up high with firmness of purpose, enjoying all the blessings purchased by Jesus through His death.

The children of light – besides being responsible and setting good examples – are always victorious because they do not let themselves be carried away by evil spirits or by the offerings of temptation. Actually, they never bow before any attack. Instead of fleeing the battle, they defeat the enemy on all fronts, knowing that the Lord gives them the weapons they need to be successful. Moreover, the children of light are the joy of God because they live according to what the Word tells them. For them, the most important place to be is where the Lord designated for them to be as well as do the work they were assigned with.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares