Behave as children of light

Notes of meeting on 21 October 2014

1 Peter 5 v 1 - 11

¹ I urge the elders among you, as a fellow-elder myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the glory that is to be revealed:
² give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
³ Do not lord it over the group which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock.
⁴ When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory.
⁵ In the same way, younger people, be subject to the elders. Humility towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes the proud but accords his favour to the humble.
⁶ Bow down, then, before the power of God now, so that he may raise you up in due time;
⁷ unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you.
⁸ Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
⁹ Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing.
¹⁰ You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will restore you, he will confirm, strengthen and support you.
¹¹ His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.


Ephesians 5 v
¹ As God's dear children, then, take him as your pattern,
² and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up for us as an offering and a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.
³ Among you there must be not even a mention of sexual vice or impurity in any of its forms, or greed: this would scarcely become the holy people of God!
⁴ There must be no foul or salacious talk or coarse jokes -- all this is wrong for you; there should rather be thanksgiving.
⁵ For you can be quite certain that nobody who indulges in sexual immorality or impurity or greed -- which is worshipping a false god -- can inherit the kingdom of God.
⁶ Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is such behaviour that draws down God's retribution on those who rebel against him.
⁷ Make sure that you do not throw in your lot with them.
⁸ You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; behave as children of light,
⁹ for the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and uprightness and truth.
¹⁰ Try to discover what the Lord wants of you,
¹¹ take no part in the futile works of darkness but, on the contrary, show them up for what they are.
¹² The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of;
¹³ but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated
¹⁴ and anything illuminated is itself a light. That is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
¹⁵ So be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, like intelligent and not like senseless people.
¹⁶ Make the best of the present time, for it is a wicked age.
¹⁷ This is why you must not be thoughtless but must recognise what is the will of the Lord.
¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine; this is simply dissipation; be filled with the Spirit.
¹⁹ Sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs among yourselves, singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts,
²⁰ always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
²¹ Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.