Children of Light

Colossians 1:13-14

As I started to dive into this passage, I took a deep look into explaining the transfer from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Heaven.  What I had anticipated explaining has already been explained as far as the process and technical side of things through the scriptures.  So, you can read about that here, as it doesn’t make sense to write what has already been written!

Having understood the technical equation in the scriptures of how this happened, we can now look at what it means for us.  In his writing, Paul is explicitly writing a conclusion to the previous 4 verses but also transitioning into who Christ is and His power for and in us.  But, we must know and accept that we are no longer children of darkness, but children of light.

In Ephesians 5, Paul expounds on this idea, using references from Isaiah, to highlight our new identity in Christ:

7 Therefore do not be sharers with them, 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is well-pleasing to the Lord. 11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak about the things being done by them in secret, 13 but all things exposed by the light are made visible, 14 for everything made visible is light. Therefore it says, 
Wake up, sleeper, 
and rise from the dead, 
and Christ will shine on you. 
15 Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of the time because the days are evil.

In Romans 12, he says it a different way:

Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.

It is important for us to recognize who we are in Christ, because the spiritual battle lies within the recognition of our identity.  We are made new, but we must learn how to live in this new life.  There are some areas that are instant and easy to change, while other areas remain an ongoing battle.  We can compare how Christ is with how we are and see a vast difference.  Our soul is renewed, but it is our mind we have to convince.  Corrupted by sin, both toward us and from us, it is a daily battle to change the way we are.  Thankfully, we have the power of Christ to help us!

To skip ahead a little, we see that Paul further explains this in verses 21-22:

21 And ⌊although you were formerly alienated⌋ and enemies in attitude, because of your evil deeds, 22 but now you have been reconciled by ⌊his physical body⌋ through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

So today, as you reflect on this truth that we are renewed beings as children of light, what must you ask God to work on in your life so that your light may shine brighter?