See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:6-16

“For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord.”

Nobody knows better than us what kind of people we used to be. If you haven’t changed after encountering Jesus, I don’t mind telling you that you’re still in darkness.

For those of us who now are called light in the Lord, we know the acts of darkness but we do not participate in them. We are not partners with those who do evil. We may occasionally find ourselves shoulder to shoulder with them as we do the best we can to make this world better but we do not become like them in order to gain their favor, nor do we wink at evil.

When there is good to be done, we do it and when there is evil being done, we bring it into the light to be seen.

Let us make the most of our time, because these days are evil.

Ethan Kirl

Originally published January 13, 2023