Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

It is one thing to refuse to participate in evil. It is quite another to expose it. Yet this is what light does. By its very nature, light dispels darkness, thereby revealing what is done in secret. To the extent we encounter little by way of opposition, it may be because we are obeying the first part of the command, “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness,” while neglecting the second part, “but instead expose them.” There is always a cost involved in exposing darkness. For instance, we are not surprised at the fierce reactions to the undercover videos revealing that Planned Parenthood sells body parts of carefully and precisely dismembered children. What has been carefully hidden has been brought to light. Such reactions are to be expected when evil is exposed, for those who do evil will jealously protect the darkness. You can be sure they will bring a fight to those who exposed them.

The Gospel of John says it this way: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20). After all, this is exactly what the crucifixion of Jesus was about—a dark world hated the Light, and determined to snuff it out. The world seeks to do the same to the church. For the one who said “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) also said to the church “you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

“Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). In so doing, we are called to look carefully and to think wisely, understanding that we live in an evil day. And that will require exposing darkness. For that is what light does.

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A Pastor’s Reflections