Ephesians 5:9 … The Fruit of the Light (05/19/17)
“Live as Children of Light – for the fruit of the Light is found in all that is good and right and true.” ~ unknown (Ephesians 5:9)
Even though Ephesians was in all probability not written by Paul (but instead was likely copied and amended from Colossians by a Paulinist follower shortly after Paul’s death), this verse still reflects a deep set of Truths, all of them hinging on its very first word: “Live.” For even though it was indeed good enough for Paul for his followers to think “good” thoughts and have “right” beliefs and speak “true” words, this was not enough for anyone desiring the follow The Way of Christ …
For to enter Jesus” “Kingdom of God” in this lifetime (Luke 17:20-21) requires bold, selfless action (see Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew 24:12-14, Luke 10:29-37, John 13:15-17 et al). It requires becoming “humble as a toddler” (Matthew 18:3-4), and the only way to do that was to “Live as Children of Light” – by Forgiving our trespassers without end (Matthew 18:21-22), by Loving our enemies without exception (Matthew 5:43-48), and by Serving the downtrodden without excuses (Matthew 25:35-40).
For these are the deeds that bear the Spiritual Fruit (see Matthew 21:43 & Galatians 5:22-23) that will allow our Light to shine, and allow us to truly represent the Divine (“While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light … The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works [of Love] than these” ~ Jesus in John 12:36 & John 14:12).
Amen … Let it be so.
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