A Distinct Difference
by Bro. Shaun Ogdie
08/03/2023
Ephesians 5:8 – "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the light."
Darkness is ignorance of God. Before salvation, we did not know nor have the light of life. Now as children of light, we are to walk as children of light, which involves our daily lives.
The thirty-second Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James L. Jones in 2000 had grown tired of going overseas during a conflict and not being able to notice in a group of military personnel wearing the standard camouflage uniform, which ones were his Marines and which ones were not. So, he tasked his uniform experts to develop the MARPAT (short for Marine Pattern). By 2002, the United States Marine Corps was the first in the United States military to change its camouflage uniform to the new digital patterns. When we went to Iraq in 2003, a sense of pride came upon us as we were able to stand out apart from the others, in these new uniforms. Our Commanding Officer could easily spot which military members were his Marines.
When our Heavenly Father looks down on this wicked world, can He tell the difference between you and the world? So often we as Christians are busy chasing the dreams of this world in finances, athletics, knowledge, etc., that we forget to whom we belong. The contrast between the believer and the unsaved world should be as distinct as the difference between light and darkness.
The Difference Between the Christian and The Non-Christian
1. It Is Absolute
All the terminology of the New Testament with regard to what a Christian is can be described in terms of regeneration. This is not merely an improvement on the surface but rebirth—not just to clean a person up on the outside, but he has to be born again. We are either light or darkness, one or the other. We are either Christians or not Christians. We must not mix light with darkness.
2. We Should Know It
1 John 5:13 – "...that ye may know that ye have eternal life,". This is not something we hope for, nor marked with a note of uncertainty, but, rather, the new birth is a certainty based on the Word of God and evidenced by a change in our life. If there has been no change, then we need to re-evaluate our profession.
The Children of Darkness are Known by Their Deeds
Sin marks its victims. Every sin wakens the power of self-control.
1. Their Deeds are Evidence of Their Darkness
They are children of disobedience and the deeds are only the fruit of their nature. Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:20
2. Their Deeds Expose Them to Divine Wrath
For sin, God can have nothing but wrath. Romans 1:18 – " For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;".
The Children of Light are to be known by Their Deeds
1. The Admonition
Ephesians 5:8 – "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
2. The Walk
Ephesians 5:9 – "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)"
3. The Object
Ephesians 5:10 – "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
4. The Restriction
Ephesians 5:11-12 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Amos 3:3 – "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
As Christians, we have been brought from darkness to light by faith in Christ. Now, being light, we are to walk as children of light. The goal of that walk is to know the will of God. As children of light, we are different than the children of darkness. Our relationship to them is to be one of separation. Our responsibility to them is not to condemn but rather reprove by bringing the light of the Gospel to them.
08/03/2023
Ephesians 5:8 – "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the light."
Darkness is ignorance of God. Before salvation, we did not know nor have the light of life. Now as children of light, we are to walk as children of light, which involves our daily lives.
The thirty-second Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James L. Jones in 2000 had grown tired of going overseas during a conflict and not being able to notice in a group of military personnel wearing the standard camouflage uniform, which ones were his Marines and which ones were not. So, he tasked his uniform experts to develop the MARPAT (short for Marine Pattern). By 2002, the United States Marine Corps was the first in the United States military to change its camouflage uniform to the new digital patterns. When we went to Iraq in 2003, a sense of pride came upon us as we were able to stand out apart from the others, in these new uniforms. Our Commanding Officer could easily spot which military members were his Marines.
When our Heavenly Father looks down on this wicked world, can He tell the difference between you and the world? So often we as Christians are busy chasing the dreams of this world in finances, athletics, knowledge, etc., that we forget to whom we belong. The contrast between the believer and the unsaved world should be as distinct as the difference between light and darkness.
The Difference Between the Christian and The Non-Christian
1. It Is Absolute
All the terminology of the New Testament with regard to what a Christian is can be described in terms of regeneration. This is not merely an improvement on the surface but rebirth—not just to clean a person up on the outside, but he has to be born again. We are either light or darkness, one or the other. We are either Christians or not Christians. We must not mix light with darkness.
2. We Should Know It
1 John 5:13 – "...that ye may know that ye have eternal life,". This is not something we hope for, nor marked with a note of uncertainty, but, rather, the new birth is a certainty based on the Word of God and evidenced by a change in our life. If there has been no change, then we need to re-evaluate our profession.
The Children of Darkness are Known by Their Deeds
Sin marks its victims. Every sin wakens the power of self-control.
1. Their Deeds are Evidence of Their Darkness
They are children of disobedience and the deeds are only the fruit of their nature. Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:20
2. Their Deeds Expose Them to Divine Wrath
For sin, God can have nothing but wrath. Romans 1:18 – " For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;".
The Children of Light are to be known by Their Deeds
1. The Admonition
Ephesians 5:8 – "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
2. The Walk
Ephesians 5:9 – "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)"
3. The Object
Ephesians 5:10 – "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
4. The Restriction
Ephesians 5:11-12 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Amos 3:3 – "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
As Christians, we have been brought from darkness to light by faith in Christ. Now, being light, we are to walk as children of light. The goal of that walk is to know the will of God. As children of light, we are different than the children of darkness. Our relationship to them is to be one of separation. Our responsibility to them is not to condemn but rather reprove by bringing the light of the Gospel to them.
Posted in Living for God
Posted in Difference, Walk, Ephesians 5, Darkness, light, sin, separation, sanctified
Posted in Difference, Walk, Ephesians 5, Darkness, light, sin, separation, sanctified
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