St. Paul assures us, that it was once his own state, no less than
that of others f and therefore we may be sure that it is
common to all. Indeed a very little knowledge of mankind will convince us, that " the whole world lieth in wickednessg," and unconverted men are not only dark, but " darkness" itself, even darkness visible.]
But " they are now light in the Lord " —
[In their conversion they are " turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God." Their views of self, of sin, of God, of Christ, of every thing around them,
are changed In consequence of " the eyes of their
understanding being enlightened," they come forth from the broad road in which they have been walking, and begin to tread the narrow, and less frequented paths, of holiness and life. Their whole labour now is to " put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts ; and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness" Now they are no longer under bondage to
the fear of death, or bowed down with the apprehensions of God's eternal wrath : they see that he is reconciled towards them in the Son of his love ; and with " a spirit of adoption they come before him, crying, Abba, Father." In a word, they now enjoy peace in their souls, even that " peace of God
which passeth all understanding"
All this they have " in the Lord," that is, by virtue of union with him, and by grace derived from him. Being now mem- bers of Christ's mystical body, they possess all that is in him their living Head, according to the measure of the grace they have received from him. " With Christ is the fountain of life; and in his light they see light."]
Whilst we contemplate this blessed change, we must not overlook,
II. The obligations it entails upon them —
Consistency is required of all : of course, if we have been made " light in the Lord," it becomes us to " walk as children of light." By this expression we are taught,
1. What line we are to pursue —
[The commandment of the Lord is a lamp, and his " law- is light11 :" and by his law are we to direct our steps. That Holy Spirit who has opened our eyes, and renewed our hearts, marks out for us our path, in direct opposition to that which
f Eph. ii. 3. Tit. iii. 3. b 1 John v. 19. h Prov. vi. 23.