Light in darkness

No fellowship

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. - Ephesians 5:11-12

It makes me sad often Christians today will accept the fact that it is okay to act like the world. It makes me even sadder how often I have done it.

Notice here that there is nothing about not fellowshipping with people. It doesn't say to leave the lost alone. If we do that we can't ever reach them. We don't have to fellowship with darkness to spend time with people in darkness. 

But it does say that we are to have no fellowship or association with the unfruitful works of darkness.

Okay, that's fine. But what about the next part - 'but rather expose them.'

I wondered how all this fit together so I looked into it in context. Our place is never, ever to fellowship ot take part with unfruitful works of darkness. Instead, as we walk as children of light our light is going to expose that wickedness. The result is that we are often not going to be well received. When the light shines in a dark place all the hidden corners are going to be exposed.

People will reject our light shining just like they rejected Jesus as the Light of the world.

We can’t just coast along hoping for the best. When opportunities are there we need to take them. I have been in many situations, dark situations, where I was able to expose darkness and error. Sure, I am not always well received, but when done lovingly it normally at least makes people consider their ways.

Our light shining means sometimes the light is put someone on the spot. Let’s use those chances to lovingly shine the light of the gospel.