I’m a bit of a moon watcher. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always been fascinated by the light of the moon. I will often step outside and sit on our porch and watch in silence as a full moon rises over the horizon in the East. It is really quite remarkable when you think of it. This giant heavenly body slowly moves into the sky, which showers light onto a dark landscape. It’s remarkable because the moon has no light in itself whatsoever. It is merely a reflector of light.

This is true for us as well. Jesus said,

“I am the Light of the world; 
he follows Me 
will not walk in the darkness, 
but will have the Light of life.”

Jesus is the Light of life. When we have Christ in our lives, we have His life, His Light. The light does not originate with us. It could not, because before we come to Christ in faith, we are in darkness. Our “foolish heart was darkened” (cf. Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:18). As the Apostle Paul put it in Ephesians 5:8, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.”

The imperative of being transformed from darkness to light is that we walk in the Light. We are to live differently. Indeed, those who are truly His will live differently. We are to live in such a way that we reflect His light and glory. His light is to be seen in our words and deeds. This is the normal Christian life: walking in light and proclaiming that He is its origin.

When we walk as children of Light, we are living out our true identity in Christ Jesus. When we walk in His light, others will see His Light.

The Apostle Paul also said, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light” (Ephesians 5:11-13).

You walk into a completely dark room and turn on the lights. Two things happen. First, The light illuminates everything in the room. You can now see what was hidden by the darkness. Perhaps, there is a chair, a desk, a computer. Similarly, when the light of the Gospel shines into our lives, it reveals what is in darkness—the ugliness of sin, exposed in all its detail. When the light goes on, our sin is exposed.

The second thing that happens when we turn on a light is that the darkness disappears. Where does it go? It is dispelled. “For everything that becomes visible is light.” It seems that the light of the Gospel not only exposes, it also transforms. We are changed from darkness into light. “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Therefore, our purpose as “children of light” is also to reveal darkness. How do we expose the “unfruitful deeds of darkness” of others? It depends. If it’s a brother or sister, we confront. If it’s someone who does not know Christ, we simply reflect the light of Christ in the way we live out His righteousness. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16.

A full moon is fully illuminated by the bright sun. Ironically, the moon is brightest when it is farthest from the sun (the source of light), while it is darkest when it is closest to the sun. It’s all a matter of positioning. During a new moon, you can’t see it. It’s there, but it is darkened because it is between the earth and the sun, thus obscuring the sun's light.

A lesson from nature, perhaps? Don’t block out the light of the Son. Don’t get in the way of others seeing Jesus. It’s not your Light, but His. We get in the way with pride, or sin of any kind, but perhaps most by self-promotion. Relax. Walk in faith, and let His Light be reflected in your life.

The moon’s light is not its own. It belongs to the sun. But even these heavenly bodies owe their glory to the One who said “Let there be light.” And so it is with us. The light is not our own. It belongs to the Son.

In the next few days, If the skies are clear, you will have the opportunity to see the full moon rising in all her glory. Remember, her glory is not her own, but that of the sun. Remember, too, that you also are a reflector of a greater glory, that of the Son of God.