Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us when we fall back into our sinful ways of living as we once did before we knew you. As Paul wrote, we were once darkness, living by the world’s standards for what is good and being confounded by guilt and shame for our actions. By faith, we no longer walk in darkness because faith has brought us into the light of your love, and we are light.
By faith, we know and trust your love for us, and we know that you sent your Son to take into himself all our sins. Jesus suffered the punishment for our sins upon the cross, and he also defeated death and Satan, rendering them powerless. Through Jesus, you have forgiven all our sins, and we thank you because your forgiveness is complete and enduring. All this was done according to your plan of salvation to save us from our sins, and this is how we now are in the light of salvation. We have been adopted into your family and are now your children by faith in Jesus.
So, as your children, we walk in the light of your Word; we walk by faith. When we sin, we realize and recognize those times we are loveless; we ask for forgiveness for Jesus’ sake and know with certainty he has forgiven us.
Walking in the light does not mean we cheapen your grace and mercy, thinking that because Jesus forgave us, you must accept us and our sins. Quite the opposite, out of love for you by faith, we avoid sinning; we walk and live according to the light to humble ourselves and lift others, serving them according to the light you have put in us.
Yet, in this life, we will stumble with our sins, and when we do, we know and trust we can run to you for forgiveness. Moreover, we ask that you forgive us now according to your love and mercy.
As we walk in the light, let that serve as an example for those around us who do not yet know you; give us opportunities to share the good news of your love and salvation with them and so change their hearts so that they, too, will walk in your light. Amen
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Do not fear God’s light; there you have forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life by believing in God’s Son, Jesus. Jesus forgave all your sins when he went to the cross for you. Knowing and trusting this is walking in the light.