Darkness and Light: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:17-5:17

Description

In Darkness and Light, Lloyd-Jones examines Paul’s contrast between the fallen human condition and the transformative power of God’s grace. The book focuses on Ephesians 4:17–5:17, where Paul urges believers to abandon their former ways and live as “children of light” through Christ’s redemption.

Key Themes
Human Depravity: Lloyd-Jones emphasizes humanity’s natural state as spiritually dead, alienated from God, and enslaved to sin. The Fall corrupted every aspect of human nature—mind, heart, and will—resulting in a “darkened understanding” (Ephesians 4:18) that renders people incapable of grasping divine truth without God’s intervention.

Grace and Regeneration: Salvation is portrayed as entirely God’s work, where the Holy Spirit enlightens believers, freeing them from sin’s dominion. Lloyd-Jones stresses that Christians owe their new life solely to grace, not merit, and this grace sustains them from conversion to eternity.

Ethical Transformation: Paul’s exhortation to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:22–24) is central. Lloyd-Jones argues that doctrine must lead to holy living, as true faith produces practical obedience. Believers are called to reject worldly corruption (e.g., greed, deceit, impurity) and embody Christlike virtues such as kindness and forgiveness.

Structure and Content
Exposition of Ephesians 4:17–19: Lloyd-Jones dissects the “vanity” of unbelievers’ lives, marked by futile thinking and moral decay. He critiques human philosophy’s inadequacy, noting that even brilliant minds remain spiritually blind without divine revelation.

Call to Holiness (Ephesians 4:20–5:14): The book details how grace enables believers to reject sin and pursue righteousness. Lloyd-Jones warns against compromising with worldly values, urging Christians to live as “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8), exposing darkness through truth and integrity.

Walking in Wisdom (Ephesians 5:15–17): Practical guidance is given for discerning God’s will, emphasizing reliance on Scripture and the Spirit. Lloyd-Jones connects wisdom to obedience, asserting that sanctification is a lifelong process of aligning with God’s purposes.

Pastoral Emphasis
Lloyd-Jones balances theological depth with pastoral urgency, challenging believers to examine their lives for evidence of regeneration. He underscores the necessity of revival, praying for the Spirit to overcome spiritual blindness and empower the church’s witness. The work reflects his hallmark style—rigorous exegesis paired with fervent appeals for heartfelt devotion to Christ.

By dissecting Paul’s moral exhortations, Darkness and Light serves as both a doctrinal treatise and a practical guide for living in the tension between God’s grace and human responsibility.