The apostle now impresses upon all saints describing more of how we are to imitate God…walk in love…offering ourselves as Living Lights and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
He begins by saying, “Therefore do not be partakers with them.” (Eph. 5:7). Partakers with who? People of this world who walked in the futility of their mind, in darkness and live without God in their lives, alienated from the life of God. Pointing back to what we studied in our last lesson: Chapter 4: Put off the old and put on the new. Paul is not saying you cannot have a relationship with people who are of the world, not saying it’s wrong to have a meal with someone who is worldly or to invite them into your house, or to go fishing, or work with them. He’s saying—steer clear of all the sinful things they do—don’t join in and participate in sin. That you must avoid.
Your Duty to God and Christ is to be light, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). Make no mistake, Jesus commanded this, Paul is just reiterating the point. Jesus “the light”, said—“14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16).
You have been given a new identity in Christ—you are light—learn it and live it. Paul does not say that you were “in darkness”, he says you were darkness (v.8). The blood of Jesus removed your darkness and replaced it with light—the blood of Jesus washed you—made you clean—and now you are light in the Lord. Now you have a mission—you are light in the Lord and Paul commands “Walk as children of light.”