Awake!

Ephesians 5:8-14    
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:  “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Since we inherit the kingdom of God by Christ’s righteousness and are called to follow and imitate Him in holiness, we must understand that we are no longer in darkness.  As we are children of the light of God’s glory and righteousness, we need to live openly and not hide sin in the dark anymore.  This is His work in us by the Spirit of God who lives in us and enables our right choices which are acceptable to God.  We are even to point out the dark things, exposing them to the light of His word for what they truly are, for His light penetrates sin’s darkest recesses and shows truth.  We ourselves have awoken from darkness by His work in us to see the light of His righteous glory, as this old hymn reminds us here.  We are children of light and new life in Jesus Christ, and are reminded now to daily choose to keep in step with His Spirit to live to please Him.