EPHESIANS 5:13

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

Have you ever been a room when the sunlight beamed through the window? Maybe it was coming through the window blinds. When it did, you could see rows of light in the room. It would almost seem you could reach out and touch them. Wouldn’t it be great if you could reach out, grab them and fold them up to use later? That would be way cool. Light changes things. It shows whatever it touches.

Paul uses a pretty common word in this verse by “visible.” It’s the Greek word “phaneróō (from phṓs, ‘light’) illumine, make manifest (visible); (figuratively) make plain, in open view; to become apparent (‘graspable’).” (HELPS Word Studies) Paul is telling us that everything will become visible one day. God’s light exposes the darkness. We cannot hide one single thing from His beam of brightness.

APPLICATION

Have you ever wondered why bars and nightclubs are so dark? People don’t want deeds of darkness exposed. Look at 1 John 3:2 where we find phaneroo used again. “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” When Jesus becomes visible to us again in His second coming, we will “appear” like Him. Wow!

John used this word nine times in his first letter (1 John). In 1 John 4:9, he says, “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” God’s light and His love is made visible in us. We are the light and love of God to a lost and dying world.

One more example – Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Now, that’s shouting ground! We will be revealed with Him in glory. What was made visible in us will be eternal. Hallelujah, praise the Lamb!

Father, let Your light shine through me making visible Your love to others.