April 1, 2011

Opening Hymns:
May Your Kingdom Come (Red) 34
I Will Delight (Red) 93

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-14

Message: Shine Light on Darkness
This scripture reminds me of the many times that Jesus says “You are forgiven, go and do not sin again.” We were in darkness and we are now in the light (Ephesians 5:8). We have been forgiven, so where do we go from here? We must work on improving ourselves, and changing ourselves to be more like Christ. We must try to do away with the sin in our lives that might still remain. In this scripture it is described as ‘exposing the darkness to the light’ (Ephesians 5:13). What does that mean? I think it can mean a number of things.

First of all it could mean that if we see sin in our lives we can expose it to the light by making it known to others and not allowing it to be hidden. In that way we will be more likely to change, and will have the help and support of others. One way to do this is to have at least one person who you can trust and who you can comfortably talk to and have them keep you accountable. When people exercise in pairs they are more likely to keep it up… I think it is the same with living a Christian life. If we know that someone else will be there with us we are more likely to follow through.

It can also mean that we should confront others when we see them do something sinful. A note from my study bible states “Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right” (Life Application Study Bible NIV Copyright 1991). This translation of it is harder for me to understand as Jesus did state “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Mathew 7:3-5).

We must focus on fixing ourselves first before we focus on others. However, we cannot turn a blind eye when others sin. If we noticed someone was stealing money, exposing that sin would be our responsibility. Allowing that sin to be hidden would be hurtful to the person who lost the money, as wrong has been done to them, and to the person steeling as they will not have that opportunity to recognize the sin and change their ways. Today, let us try to live as children of the light. Let us shine out the darkness. Let us go into this world forgiven… and let us try not to sin again.

Time of Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we do sin. Help us to be children of light. Let us not sin against You, others, or ourselves… but rather let us be fruitful for You and do Your works. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Shine Jesus, Shine (Red) 2

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God