Slideshow image

Ephesians 5 says:

"6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret." (ESV)

Val Valentino rose to fame as an anti-magician. He exposed the tricks behind the illusions that magicians would use on stage and camera. As a result, he was a well-hated man; loathed by people making a living on magic tricks, as well as audiences who felt that magic shows were stripped of their wonder. 

Then he moved to Brazil. The Wall Street Journal recently wrote a piece on him that you can access --> here <-- 

He became a national hero in Brazil, where the people abhor being fooled! A very pragmatic people, Brazilians do not want hucksters taking advantage of them. Anyone who comes in with the beacon of honesty is welcome. Therefore, Val Valentino has become a national symbol of opennes and candor. 

Likewise, we are called, in the Kingdom of God, to be light. When you turn on the lights in a room, the works of darkness are exposed. (1) God's Word shines that light on our lives - as uncomfortable as it is. (2) We also see the works of darkness exposed in professing believers, especially public figures, at an alarming rate. Despite the pain that light brings, the work of the light needs to continue, both in the greater world and in our lives. 

When we settle for the works of darkness in ourselves, and cease to fellowship with the light, we deceive ourselves. Embrace the freedom that the light brings! Embrace life in Christ Jesus! Abide in the vine! 

John 5:14: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (ESV)