Our Story: We’re born again to be sanctified sojourners who please God (walk victoriously in the light), and be blessed by Him (grace and glory)

» 9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light 10 …but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Lk 1:79  To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. Cf Lk 4:18

I. Those who Walk in the light don’t stumble in the dark like they used to.

See F. Acts 26:18 Satan to God

Eph 5:7  Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  9  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10  manifesting what is acceptable/pleasing to the Lord  11 have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove* them 17… but understand the will of the Lord

A. Doubted in the dark Jn 3:(16) 19 this is the condemnation, the light has come into the world, men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed* 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. Rm 14:23
Titus 3:3 we were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts & pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another
Jn 8:44  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do… no truth in him…liar and the father of it.

B. Delivered Gal 1:4 gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God…
Col 1:13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed/translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Rm 6:17  God be thanked that you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered
Ps 56:13 You have delivered my soul from death…kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living

C. Saved to work Eph 2:1…trespasses/sins, 2 once walked acc to the course of this world [4:17] acc to (Satan) 3…in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind…4 but God, who is rich in mercy…great love with which He loved us, 5  when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…8 thru faith…not works …10…for good works

D. Don’t remain in darkness Jn 12:46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
Jn 8:12  I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.      follow or fail
Ps 43:3  Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.

E. Experience Freedom: Forgiven & Sanctified Acts 26:18  to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 20:32  commend you to God and word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Excited about inheritance Col 1:12  giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

F. Fellowship with Spirit controlled God pleasers 1Jn 1:4…write to you that your joy may be full 5…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

» 11  Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,     (Rom 12:1-2 renew mind)

II. Those who Win the War purify their desires, keep their actions pure, and stand in unity with like-minded saints

Rm 13:12  let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.[1Thess5:8 ].13  Let us walk honorably, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in bedding and unrestrained caprice/desire, not in strife and envy. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.   Lk 11:35  take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.
2Tim 2:26  they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
2Pt 2:18 w/ words of emptiness, they allure thru the lusts of the flesh, thru lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

» 12  having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles…they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation

III. Those who Glorify God  Authenticate and Proclaim God’s Truth

(making Him look good in the eyes of others)
Mt 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Eph 2:10 2Tim 3:16)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response::
1. Is God capable of communicating to us what He wants us to do? How can we know His will? Can we fail to do His will?
2. What are some characteristics of someone stumbling in the dark? What would someone who walks in the light look like?
3. Is it possible to win/lose the war (for our souls: mind/will/emotions) and glorify/grieve God? What makes the difference?
4. What resources do you have available to you to walk in the light and please God? Are you availing yourself of all of them?
5. Which aspects of walking in the light can you incorporate into your life this week? Would God be pleased if you did?