The Fruit of Light
A Sermon on Ephesians 5:9-10
Originally preached Nov. 30, 1958
Scripture
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Sermon Description
Christians are called to walk in the light of the Lord, but what is this light? How is it manifested? What is the difference between a good, moral person and someone who is a Christian? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:9–10 titled “The Fruit of Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the Christian has a knowledge of the Lord that they lacked before— they now have a knowledge and understanding of spiritual truth. A Christian is one who knows God intimately, beyond mere intellectual assent to the truth of His existence. They also now have a heart that desires to know God more and follow His commands. They desire holiness. Next, this light is manifested in the will—rather than works of darkness, their life exhibits the fruits of righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a key fact about the difference between “works” and “fruit.” Fruit signifies growth, and it signifies that it is occurring naturally. Thus, Paul is writing that a believer will have a desire to please the Lord flowing out of themselves naturally because Christ is life. Fruit is the expression of that in which Christians are rooted, as a believer is rooted in Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones illustrates the importance this can have for the Christian walk, and why it is such a tragedy that the church is often filled with more works than it is with fruit.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christians are fundamentally different from non-Christians. They have undergone a profound change from darkness to light.
- This change is not superficial but deep and profound. Unbelievers are darkness itself, while Christians are light in the Lord.
- The characteristics of light and darkness manifest in the mind, heart, and will. Darkness shows ignorance, dullness, and unfruitful works. Light shows knowledge, feeling, and fruit.
- Christians have a spiritual faculty that gives insight into spiritual truth. Unbelievers lack this and see spiritual truth as foolishness. Christians understand God, sin, Christ, salvation, and Scripture.
- Christians have hearts that respond to spiritual truth. They feel the power of the truth and are moved by it. They desire holiness, though they still sin.
- Christians produce fruit, not works. Fruit suggests growth, development, individuality, and an inner source. It is not imposed or artificial. Christians cultivate the soul, and fruit comes from within.
- Christians should not let others dictate or impose on them. They should not even force themselves. Guidance comes from an inward constraint, not just the mind.
- The church today focuses too much on works, activism, and production. Christians should focus on being "vessels for the Master's use" so they can produce fruit.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions on Walking as Children of Light (Ephesians 5:9-10)
What is the fundamental difference between a Christian and a non-Christian according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that there is a profound difference between a Christian and a non-Christian, saying: "The Christian is a man who's undergone a very profound change. Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord." He stresses that "it's not a superficial difference. It's a very deep and profound one. The unbeliever is not only in the dark, he is darkness. And likewise, the Christian is not merely a man who's received a certain amount of light. He is light in the Lord." This essential difference affects the very core of one's being and constitution.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the manifestation of light in the Christian's intellect?
The Christian's intellect manifests light through a spiritual knowledge that non-Christians cannot access. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "The man who has become light in the Lord is a man who has knowledge of spiritual truth and an understanding of spiritual truth that the other man lacks." He cites 1 Corinthians 2, saying the natural man "receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for their foolishness unto him, neither can he, because they are spiritually discerned." This spiritual knowledge includes an apprehension of God, awareness of one's soul, understanding of sin, perception of Christ's divine-human nature, and comprehension of salvation.
What is the difference between "works of darkness" and "fruit of light" according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws a significant contrast between the "works of darkness" and the "fruit of light." The darkness is characterized by "works" (mentioned in verse 11 as "unfruitful works of darkness"), while light is characterized by "fruit." The difference is that works are artificial, mechanical, imposed, and manufactured, while fruit is natural, organic, growing from within, and an expression of one's true nature. He explains: "We don't make ourselves what we are by what we do. We do what we do because we are what we are. Fruit is that which comes from within and is the expression of the true nature."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the process of fruit-bearing in the Christian life?
Lloyd-Jones describes fruit-bearing as a natural, gradual process of growth rather than something instantaneous or imposed. He says: "There should always be a suggestion of the element of growth and of development in the life of the Christian." He compares it to an actual fruit tree where "You get buds and flowers. Then you get just that little first appearance of the fruit. Then it begins to grow and to develop and mature." He contrasts this with "ready-made Christians" who are "mass produced" and criticizes approaches where Christians are forced to conform to external patterns immediately after conversion.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones warn against imposing "molds" on Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against imposing molds on Christians because true Christian life develops from within as fruit rather than being artificially shaped from outside. He states, "We must never allow anybody to impose a mold upon us. Refuse to become a member of anything that puts a mold on you. We are called into the glorious liberty of the children of God." He calls it "a tragic thing to see young Christians conforming to a mold and to a pattern." He believes such molding contradicts the nature of Christian life as fruit-bearing, which inherently involves variety, individuality, and growth from within according to one's own spiritual life rather than external conformity.
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' critique of modern church activism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones critiques the modern church's emphasis on activism and busyness that focuses on production rather than spiritual growth. He argues: "The whole prevailing theory today in the church...is the exact opposite. Isn't this the cult? Isn't this the phrase 'let's be getting busy, let's get going?' No, you don't decide to get going. God has put this principle within you." He laments that the modern church "is full of works and activity and activism, but that there is such little fruit, this glorious fruit of the light and of the spirit, to be seen amongst us." Instead, he believes Christians should focus on cultivating their souls, from which fruit will naturally emerge.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between a true Christian and a "good moral man" who is not a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones recognizes there are "good, moral men" who are not Christians but appear to embody goodness, righteousness, and truth. He references "The Failure of the Good Pagan" by Rosalind Murray to highlight this distinction. The fundamental difference is that the Christian has a spiritual faculty that gives understanding of spiritual truths. Non-Christians, regardless of their moral quality, lack this spiritual faculty and cannot truly apprehend God, understand their own souls, recognize sin as more than environmental factors, see Christ as more than a good man, or grasp the way of salvation. The good moral man produces works, while the Christian produces fruit that grows naturally from an inner transformation.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.