August 17, 2023

Taylor Abaroa
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:8-20 

You may be familiar with the phrase “honesty is the best policy.” These verses remind us of that. In Luke 8, Jesus’ words speak to the same priority “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” In other words, the truth always prevails. Oftentimes, to be honest it takes courage and humility. It’s hard to admit when we fall short, need help, or are stuck in sinful patterns. We must look inside of ourselves to be honest before God, before ourselves, and before others. When we pursue a life of Godliness, verse 9 reminds us of the fruit of the “light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”

In a world that is searching for truth, we have the opportunity to be carriers of the light of Jesus that don’t shy away from truth, display humility when we fall short, and model purity in all areas of our life (those seen and those unseen).