"The Land of the Living"

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:6-14 NIV).

Today is the last in our little series of being in the land of the living. There are two things that are important. First, good works are both expected and natural for the Christian. Jesus often talked about bearing good fruit. He likened the true disciple to a good tree producing good fruit. In fact, he asked can “thistles produce grapes?” He also talked about fresh water only coming from a spring. He never denied that good works were expected. He declared them to be natural. Our problem today is that we try to force people to do good things through manipulation. Often it is unintentional; however, it still draws us away from the center of who we are. Grapes are “produced” by a vine; fresh water is “produced” by the spring. Good works are produced by the presence of Christ living within us. That’s the “law” of nature God has established. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous to plant an oak tree and expect it to give us apples? In the same way God has created each of us uniquely designed for a part of His ministry. When we are operating within that call, those gifts, and that mandate, we will do great things for God. Hidden in this principle is the danger of putting people in positions they are neither gifted nor suited for simply because we needed to do so to complete an organizational chart. Therefore we are to center ourselves in Christ and He will shine through us. That allows us to stop doing good things and do God things!

Second, it is never too late to live in the Light. No matter what you have done, or not done, the grace of God is sufficient to forgive you and cleanse you from every sin. Paul simply says, “Wake up.” I believe it his way of helping us understand that the detours we take along the way, some conscious and some not, are merely that. They are detours for the child of God. Some will have consequences that are difficult to bear, however all will be forgiven and we will be allowed back in the center of our journey. The great tragedy is those who don’t know any better. They have been deceived with good words. They have not been taught with God words. The heart of discipleship is in showing people the Scripture so that they may hear directly from God concerning their life. Just one quick example… everyone ought to share the gospel with others. No one can argue that is a principle of Scripture. However, that doesn’t mean that we all are to be a part of a particular program designed to accomplish that. The tool must never become our focus. Christ is our focus. Take the Light of Christ everywhere you go and it will force the darkness away. In your home, at work, in your church, the places you go for recreation, everywhere is a place that can use the Light. Live in the Light. That places you in the land of the living!