‘For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.'
Having dealt with the dark side Paul now returns to the theme of the Christian's walk. They did once walk in darkness. They were darkness through and through. Many of them had once participated in such things. Indeed they epitomised ‘darkness'. But now their darkness has turned to light. They are light, as God is (1 John 1:5). They have come to Him Who is the light of the world receiving the light of life (John 8:12). They have become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). They live as in His presence, in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). They are no longer under the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13). They dwell in the kingdom of His beloved Son, enjoying the inheritance of the people of God ‘in light' (Colossians 1:12-13). Thus they are to walk in the light (1 John 1:7), as children of light.
Living in the light is seen as a huge privilege. They should enjoy it and exult in the privilege and live continually in the light. To walk in the light, to be children of light, signifies living in the light, open before God, with nothing hidden from Him, being totally honest with Him and daily, no, each opportune moment, joyously bringing their lives to Him like an open book and letting His light shine on them. It is a life of not hiding anything from His gaze. It is letting His word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our way (Psalms 119:105), showing us the way ahead. For the entrance of His word gives light (Psalms 119:130). It is an attitude of heart and life to be continually fostered. So we are to walk in love (Psalms 119:2) and in light. The two must go hand in hand. And this will result in the fruit of goodness, righteousness and truth, the very opposite of uncleanness and covetousness.
As Paul spoke these words he must surely have had in mind that first moment at the beginning of time when all was darkness, and God said, ‘Let there be light', and light flooded everything. His people have now entered into a new creation. They have come from nothingness and vanity to a glorious new future. They must walk in the light that shines from God.