Now, let’s look at the conduct of our walk. Eph. 5:9-14 gives us what living in the light is to actually look like. These verses say, “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.12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” If you understand the contrast of your former walk (manner of life) in darkness with your present walk of living in the light, then it is clear that your conduct inwardly and outwardly (as well as vertically and horizontally or Godward and manward) must match your new identity in Christ. 1 Pet. 2:9-12 tells us, “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” We have been called out of darkness to have our daily conduct be in the light. There will be four things that we must note about the conduct of our walk.
One, the conduct of our walk begins with our fruit. Eph. 5:9 says, “9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” Every believer bears fruit, however, the difference is in the degree of fruit, both in quality and quantity. It is the Holy Spirit within us that is the light of Christ in us. It is the Holy Spirit who illuminated our hearts to the gospel drawing us into a saving relationship with Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who continually teaches us by shedding light upon the Word of God so that day by day we see Christ more clearly. Jesus describes to His disciples and us the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit in our life in John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:5-15. We bear fruit for Christ by the power and yielding to the Spirit of God within us. This verse describes the fruit that will be seen in the life of a Spirit filled, Spirit led believer who is walking in the light of Christ. Fruit in the life of the believer is to reflect the attributes and actions of Christ. We were created to be like Him and walking in the light produces the fruit of Christlikeness. The first fruit in our life is “goodness.” The word goodness is simply behavior that benefits others. This is what it means to walk in love, and we see the idea of “goodness” in Eph. 4:2-3, 32. Because we are saved by the goodness of God, the fruit of living in the light begins with goodness. Walking in the light means that we aren’t focused on ourselves either through preservation or promotion. It means that we are humble, loving, kind, and forgiving. Perhaps we should take seriously the song, “Santa Clause is coming to town” that tells us to “be good for goodness’ sake.” The second fruit of living in the light is “righteousness.” This once more reminds us of the sharp contrast between the unrighteousness of those in darkness and the righteousness of those who are living in the light. Righteousness in the Bible either deals with salvation (justification is Christ’s righteousness imputed to our account) or sanctification (the outworking of righteous practices because of a righteous position in Christ). Essentially, righteousness in the life of the believer is conformity to God’s commands, demands, and what He approves. As we trust in the righteousness of Christ to save us, then it is His work in and through us to bring forth the fruit of righteousness inwardly and outwardly as we walk in the light. The third fruit of living in the light is “truth.” All three of these fruits point us back to the contrast of our present life and living in the light of Christ. Light is expressed through goodness, righteousness and truth. Truth here is the corresponding reality of the truth in Christ and also carries with it the connotation of sincerity, genuineness, or authenticity. Living in the light means that we will conduct ourselves in truth in words, deeds, and motivation. These three fruits are the conduct of our walking in the light of Christ. If we are walking in the light then we will see goodness, righteousness, and truth expressed in our walk for all the world to see.
Two, the conduct of our walk is seen in our focus. Eph. 5:10 says, “10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” The idea of “proving” is to test, consider, and understand. We are to constantly be motivated by the thought, “Is this acceptable unto the Lord?” Darkness is not acceptable to God, only light. In Him is no darkness at all therefore, because we are “light in the Lord” we are conduct ourselves in a way that pleases God alone. God determines what pleases Him. As a matter of fact, there is no pleasing God in the flesh. It is only by faith that we can be accepted by God and live acceptably before God (Heb. 11:5-6). We must submit our will (mind, emotions, decision) to God’s Word. Too often our focus lies on what feels good to our flesh, what is comfortable, what makes us happy. The focus of the Christian and Church is the glory of God which has been seen as God’s motivation of our wealth and walk in Christ throughout the book of Ephesians. God is not glorified when our focus is fleshly. God is not glorified in our conduct when our focus is solely outward performance not motivated by God’s grace and glory. The only real questions that matter in our conduct are, “Does God approve? Does this glorify Him? Does this fit God’s plan and purpose for me and His Church?” Perhaps even on a more practical level, our focus should be driven by the reality that there is no escaping the eyes, ears, hands, or heart of God. We are united to Christ; therefore, our focus is Christ alone.
Three, the conduct of our walk is seen in our fellowship. Eph. 5:11-12 says, “11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” We are no longer partakers of darkness because we are now light in Christ. We are no longer participators of darkness because we now are partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) and participators of His Work (Eph. 3:16-19; 4:22-32). Who you walk with influences how you walk. Paul addresses the issue of fellowship in the life of the believer and church in 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1. We can be friendly to our lost neighbors without having fellowship (participation) with what they do. However, we must be careful to remember that because we are different that we are to remain different. Our fellowship with darkness has been broken and therefore, light and darkness can’t coexist. We should not participate in their “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.” How are we to reprove the darkness? By walking in the light, walking in love, and walking worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. How are we to reprove the darkness? That we speak the truth in love, and we conduct ourselves in goodness, righteousness, and truth. How do we reprove the darkness? By walking differently because we are different. How do we reprove the darkness? By not even speaking of the wickedness that is done in the darkness. We reprove the darkness and expose its deeds by our walking in the light and words of love in Christ. Your walk speaks loudly to those around you. What is it saying?
Four, and finally, our conduct of walking in the light deals with our function. Eph. 5:13-14 says, “13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” We are not to be influenced by the darkness but rather to be influencers to the darkness so that they would be awakened by the light of Christ in our life. Our walk is the functionality of our faith. Our walk is our faith functioning in the wealth of Christ to accomplish the furtherance of the gospel and glory of Christ. As we walk in light we let the light of Christ shine in and through us so that the darkness around us would be brightened as others believe on Christ. When we aren’t walking in the light, we are keeping those around us in darkness. 2 Cor. 4:1-6 tells us, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” It is our ministry, mission, and motivation to see others come to Christ by seeing His light shine through our walk (conduct). Paul then gives a quotation of several scriptures together in Eph. 5:14 which includes phrases from Isa. 51:17; 52:1; 60:1-3. This verse is the call for the lost to wake from their slumber of death and be delivered from darkness through repentance and faith. It is also a call to the slumbering but saved soul in Christ who is not shining as brightly as they once were. God has not saved us to sleep but saved us to serve and shine. We need to be alert to the darkness around us and the light within us for the glory of God.
God cares as much about our character as He does our conduct. This passage shows us the contrast of our past walk and present walk. We have been delivered from darkness, so why do we go back to the dark damp cave of death for a visit every time that we sin? We must bask in the light of Christ and walk as children of light, because that is who we are. It is our identity. It is our wealth. It is our walk. It is our life. Our life is in the life, light, and love of Christ. The reality is simple, today, you are either still in darkness and need the light of Christ to shine in your heart to bring you to a place of repentance and faith in Christ for salvation; or you are already saved but must keep yourself walking in the light of Christ. Christ is coming for His Bride one day and He will come in the brightness of His glory. We are children of light and should live and look like it. 1 Thess. 5:4-8 reminds us of this truth saying, “4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” Wake up lost soul! Arise and be saved! Wake up slumbering Christian for your redemption draws nigh and you have work to do! Dear Christian, is your life being lived in the light of Christ? Are you walking in the light? Are you practicing your position and walking in your wealth? Is your life shining as much as it once did? Put off the darkness and live in the light that you’ve become in Christ.
Grow with me as we study the believer’s wealth and walk in Christ.
Grow deeper.
Grow higher.
Grow wider.
Grow With Pastor Joe 
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