Children
of Light
By Karen D’Amore
“For you were
once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of
Light.”
Ephesians
5:8 (NIV)
The conflict erupted over a light!
As my husband was trenching to run electricity to the outermost corner of our
wooded four acres, a neighbor interrupted his trenching. When asked what he was
doing, my husband informed her that he was installing a lamp post to illuminate
one of our walking trails. With a hyper-sensitivity for her privacy, the neighbor
expressed resistance over our plan to install the light. Even after showing her
that the light would not be visible from where her house is situated on her own
wooded property, she still continued to dispute the light.
My husband and I wrestled through much discussion from two opposing
perspectives. From a perspective of “entitlement,” we certainly believed we had
every right to put a light on our own property. We were also well aware that
opting for “entitlement” would be a decision carrying potential to create major
friction with our neighbor. As believers, who are called to live as children of
“THE Light” and we needed to consider the perspective as ambassadors for Christ.
Ephesians 5:9 says, “for the fruit
of THE Light consists in all goodness, righteousness
and truth” (NIV, emphasis added). As children of Light, following God produces
the fruit of righteousness. This righteousness encompasses all that is
consistent with the holy character of God. While children of darkness live to
please themselves, children of Light should live to please God. After being
saved by faith in Christ, we’re not merely improved; we are radically
transformed from darkness to serving the Light. This change in our condition
should be reflected by change in our conduct.
That change in conduct oftentimes
means we’re called by God to waive our rights to exercise the fruit of
righteousness. It means we make decisions to forego what brings us delight so
that we can maintain peace with others. As children of Light, sacrificing a desire
like a lighted walk in the woods is a small price to pay in order to walk in
obedience. Choosing to embrace opportunities to glorify God, we extend the love
of Jesus to those around us…asking Him to use those decisions to relinquish our
rights to impact hearts for the Kingdom of God.
GOING
DEEPER:
- Are
you struggling with the “entitlement” trap, resisting righteousness versus
your “rights”?
- How can you relinquish those “rights” and
choose to better reflect the fruit of a child of the Light?
FURTHER
READING:
