In Ephesians 5:1–17, Paul paints a vision of what it means to live in the light of Christ—and it’s not just about personal holiness. It’s about stepping into the mission of God in the world. This passage reminds us that we serve not out of religious duty but because we have been transformed. We serve with love, with purpose, and with the light of the gospel shining through our lives.

Here are three ways this passage shapes our calling to serve in God’s mission:



1. We Serve with Divine Intention and Integrity

“…and find out what pleases the Lord… the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”
(Ephesians 5:9–10)

God’s mission is not random—it’s intentional, purposeful, and good. When we serve others, we’re not just “being nice”; we are stepping into what pleases God. And Paul gives us a litmus test: goodness, righteousness, and truth.

This means our service should reflect God’s character. It’s not about performance or approval—it’s about becoming a living expression of God’s heart. We serve with divine intention, led by the Spirit, doing what is good, standing for what is right, and living in the truth.

Our integrity matters in mission. The way we live backs up the message we proclaim. In a culture filled with compromise, believers who serve with quiet faithfulness and Christlike character shine brightly.

2. We Serve to Expose Injustice and Promote Transparency

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
(Ephesians 5:11)

Serving in the mission of God includes confronting the darkness—not with arrogance or condemnation, but with clarity and light. When we serve others with compassion and courage, we expose injustice for what it is.

This might mean standing with the marginalized, speaking truth into broken systems, or simply choosing honesty where deception thrives. As children of light, we are called to promote transparency, justice, and hope.

Light doesn’t just push back darkness—it reveals what’s hidden. Our acts of service become prophetic acts, pointing to a better kingdom, one where grace and truth rule.

3. We Serve as One of Our Own, But Who Has Seen the Light

“…everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”
(Ephesians 5:13)

We don’t serve from a pedestal—we serve as fellow humans, broken and rescued. Paul reminds us that we were once in darkness too (v.8). That humility shapes how we serve and how we speak.

We carry both the truth of the gospel and the truth of our story—how the light found us, changed us, and is still working in us. Our service becomes authentic, relatable, and powerful because we’re not pretending to have it all together. We’re living proof that God’s light transforms.

The mission of God moves forward through ordinary people who’ve been radically changed. People who serve not as heroes, but as witnesses.