Shine the Light of Jesusنموونە

Learn the Playbook of Light

For a moment, think about your favorite sports team (or at least one you’ve heard of). Now, imagine this: one of the world’s best players has made a monumental, headline-grabbing transfer to your team.

But then, something bizarre happens.

Only days later, the player is spotted back at their old training ground, donning the rival colors and running plays with former teammates. Can you imagine the confusion, the uproar? Once you sign for a new team, you don’t go back and play with the old one.

This is Paul’s point in today’s passage. Since you have been saved, forgiven, and set free by Jesus, you need to wear the colors of your new team, rather than running the plays of your old one. Having been adopted into God’s family, your new training routine is to “live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Rather than continuing to hang about with “the fruitless deeds of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11), Christ is calling you to radiate “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Living as a child of light, though, isn’t just a nice idea. It needs action.

Thankfully, Paul gives us the “light” playbook. As he writes “the fruit of the light” (Ephesians 5:9), Paul’s words echo both the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians and John’s emphatic claim that “God is light” in 1 John 1:5. Paul’s strategy, therefore, is this: Living in the light means, first and foremost, living with God and relying on God.

In Christ, you’ve made a life-transforming move. So now it’s time to own it. Stir your faith, embrace your new colors of grace, and start practicing the plays of light. For “[God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). The ink is dry. The deal is done. Today, and forever, you’re on team light.

Prayer

Dear God, I thank You for calling me into Your family and giving me a new identity. When I am tempted to look back, remind me that the deal is sealed and my place is secure in You. Fill me with the Spirit so that I may play boldly in the field of light, with every thought, word, and action pointing to Your glory. May my life shine as a beacon of Your grace.

In Jesus’ name.
Amen.