Embracing New Life: From Darkness to Light

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of destructive behavior, unable to break free? Or perhaps you've encountered someone whose life seems so far removed from faith that you can't imagine how to connect with them? The journey from darkness to light is at the heart of the Christian experience, and it's a transformative process that changes not just our inner selves, but how we interact with the world around us.

Consider the story of Rosaria Butterfield, a tenured professor and proud atheist who seemed to have it all figured out. She was living openly in a lesbian relationship, a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community, and saw Christianity as narrow and oppressive. Yet, through the patient love and hospitality of a pastor and his wife, Rosaria's heart began to change. Over countless dinners, they listened, asked questions, and shared the gospel with gentle conviction. What started as research to expose the "bigoted religious right" became a journey that led Rosaria to surrender her life to Christ in 1999.

This remarkable transformation illustrates a profound truth: our identity in Christ fundamentally changes how we interact with each other. It's not about moralism or trying to be a better person through sheer willpower. Instead, it's about allowing the grace of God to work through us, transforming us from the inside out.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, outlines this process of transformation. He describes our former state as one of darkness, callousness, and insatiable desire for more. But through Christ, we are given a new identity – a new self "created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth" (Ephesians 4:24).

This new identity isn't just a label; it's a complete overhaul of our being. It's like a business under new management – everything changes. Our speech, our temper, our work ethic, and how we relate to others all reflect this new life in Christ. But it's important to understand that this change is a process, what theologians call sanctification.

Sanctification is both a state of being and an ongoing journey. We are sanctified – set apart for God – the moment we put our faith in Christ. Yet we are also being sanctified day by day as the Holy Spirit works in us, chipping away at the old self and conforming us more to the image of Christ. It's personal, as each of us has our own unique journey, but it's not private. Our transformation affects everyone around us.

So what does this new life look like in practice? Paul gives us some specific examples:

1. Our speech changes. We put away lying and speak the truth to our neighbors. This goes beyond just not telling falsehoods; it's about living with integrity and transparency. It's about not hiding who we are or what we've done, knowing that the truth sets us free.

2. Our temper is controlled. While anger itself isn't sinful, how we handle it can be. We're called to "be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). This means learning to express our emotions in healthy ways, not letting anger control us or give the devil a foothold in our lives.

3. Our work ethic improves. Those who once stole are now called to do honest work with their own hands, not just for personal gain but so they can share with those in need. This principle extends beyond literal theft to any way we might be living at the expense of others or not giving our best in our work.

4. Our relationships are marked by kindness and forgiveness. We're called to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ" (Ephesians 4:32). This posture of grace should characterize all our interactions, especially with those we find difficult to love.

These changes don't happen overnight. They're the fruit of a life rooted in Christ, nurtured by the Holy Spirit. It's a process that requires our cooperation – we must actively "put off the old self" and "put on the new self" (Ephesians 4:22-24). But it's not something we do in our own strength. It's the power of God working in us, transforming us from glory to glory.

As we embrace this new life, we become living testimonies to the transformative power of the gospel. Like Rosaria Butterfield, who now opens her home to skeptics and struggling individuals, we become ambassadors of Christ's love in a divided world. We learn to engage with others not through divisive rhetoric or arguments, but with compassionate hearts that draw people to the table of Christ's love.

This transformation challenges us to look beyond our comfort zones. Who in your life needs an invitation to your table? Is there a neighbor you've been avoiding, a family member you've written off, or a colleague whose lifestyle you disapprove of? Remember, Christ invited us to His table knowing all our faults and failures. Can we do any less for others?

The journey from darkness to light is not always easy. There will be struggles and setbacks. We may find ourselves grieving the Holy Spirit through repeated disobedience, forming calluses on our hearts. But the good news is that God is patient and His grace is sufficient. He continues to work in us, slowly but surely conforming us to the image of His Son.

As we close, let's reflect on our own lives. Are there areas where we've become calloused? Are there people we need to reach out to with Christ's love? Let's ask the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts, remove our calluses, and give us the courage to invite others to our table. For in doing so, we not only reflect Christ's love but we open the door for others to experience the transformative power of the gospel.

In a world desperately in need of hope and healing, may our lives be beacons of light, drawing others out of darkness and into the marvelous light of Christ's love.