Proof
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
It’s really all about who you are. This is true, but there’s another unavoidable truth when you’re a child of the light; who you are will be directly seen in everything you do. Inversely, everything you do will judge and define who you are. An apple tree is called an apple tree when apples are seen on its branches. If, however, there happens to be lemons on those branches, it will become associated with a whole new family of trees, no matter how it may claim otherwise. We may claim to be children of God (this is who we are), but if our works are that of darkness we’ll be associated with a very different family.
This can be a very sobering consideration depending upon what you’ve been up to lately, but there is something comforting from this passage that goes to the very heart of God in His passionate pursuit of our hearts and our identity. In Christ we’ve been given a whole new identity; we’re actually called ‘light’ in the Lord. Instead of producing fruit based upon how we used to see ourselves, we’re given this whole new perspective of who we are, and we’re therefore given the ability to begin producing identity affirming evidence. We’re not told to just somehow miraculously change what we’re doing and thus change who we are, but we’re given the means for goodness, righteousness and truth to grow naturally by the Spirit. When we’re in Him, who He’s said we are can begin to change what we do to the point that what is acceptable and pleasing to God is actually defined by our actions. To abide/walk in His spirit is to acknowledge and worship Him in such a way that there is no corner or shadow where darkness can remain. A heart that is flooded by light in this manner has no capacity or motivation for the darkness anymore.
In this there is great hope for the transgressor and the one who is identity challenged. Instead of remaining in the ever darkening and discouraging awareness of darkness defining deeds, another awareness can begin to dominate and define who we are. It’s not possible to hang out with the Spirit and works of darkness at the same time, and merely knowing that He’s there and honoring His presence with every step taken will produce an identity that will completely disallow fellowship with works of darkness. Instead of being dominated by uncontrollable urges and desires of the flesh, those very things will be dominated and brought into subjection to the reproof of the Spirit.
What He’s said is so very powerful for this day. In Him we’re actually called ‘light’ and we’re referred to as ‘children’ of the light. Who He’s said we are can begin to produce His fruit and proclaim to the world what is acceptable to Him.
