For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Eph 5:8-10
Often my prayers have to do with seeking direction from God. I want to know Him better, to know His desire for my life. Sometimes I just want to understand in general what to do. On other occasions, I have a specific choice before me. No option is the clear choice, and I don’t mind either path. I just want to be clear concerning God’s will so I can please Him.
Asking to know His will is clearly a part of obtaining that needed direction. As Pro 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” But our text today clearly teaches there is another important factor in knowing the will of God: “Walk as children of light… finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” In other words, obedience is key in understanding what God would have us do.
I think of it this way. If we walk in the light God has already given, then He will give us more light! Paul spoke of his fervency in following Christ in Php 3:12-14, using phrases like “press on”, “lay hold, and “reaching forward”. He urged the Philippians to follow his example of obedience v. 15: “Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” His point was that when we lack knowledge but are faithful to be obedient in the knowledge God has already given us, the Lord will reveal more of His will so that we might walk in even greater understanding.
Do you want to grow, dear Christian? Do you want to know the mind and will of God? Prayer and study are needful, but never overlook the importance of obedience. When we see our children being consistently obedient to past instruction, then we know they are ready for more instruction and greater responsibility. In Joh 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…” The proof of our love is obedience to what He’s taught us. He continues in that verse saying that, when a man walks in love and obedience to Him, the result will be that “My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” If someone moves in with you, you’ll know that person better. That’s exactly what the Lord promises to do for those who keep His word, walking as children of light!
Jamie