You are Light

I want you to imitate me, as my dearly loved child and live a life of love, just as I have loved you and gave myself up for you as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to my Father.

There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed in your life because these are improper for my holy people. Nor should you indulge in any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather be thankful to me. For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person —such a man is an idolator — has any inheritance in my kingdom. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things my 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 me. Live as a child of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases me. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible, This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, 0 sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what my will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with my Spirit. Speak to others with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to me, always giving thanks to your heavenly Father for everything, in my name. Submit to others out of reverence for me.

(Eph. 5:1—21)

Put on the New Self

Grace has been given as I apportioned it. I have given some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare my people for works of service, so that my body may be built up until you all reach unity in the Faith and in the knowledge of my Son and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then you will no longer be an infant, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, you will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

So I tell you this, and insist on it, that you must no longer live in the futility of your thinking. Once you were darkened in your understanding and separated from my life because of your ignorance due to the hardening of your heart. You were insensitive to spiritual things, having given yourself over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him, in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

(Eph. 4:7—24)