“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.””
Ephesians 5:1-9, 11-14 NLT
We are to be the light of the world. This is not a statement of works but of descent and ontology. Our calling is to take on a different nature than the one we have known. Yet many Christians never do this because they don’t understand the purpose of salvation. We are not simply saved, but rather dynamically saved. Our salvation is purposeful. It is driven, not simply by a love that saves everyone, but a specific love that targets each of us to join with God. It is startling how many deny this fact. After the moment of salvation, they avoid God and even resent him for wanting to have a relationship with them. This should not be so. His purpose in our salvation is relational. He wants us to be more than with him. He wants us to be like him. This is incredible considering that humans tried to take this blessing in Eden for themselves. What’s more, he wants us to help him give this gift to others. This will never be done in our own lives or in others if we refuse to participate with him. This is why we must learn to love. Our Christian walk cannot be an act or a means of proving our worth, it must be an outworking of a transformed relationship with our creator.
JOSH McGARY. COM 