Ephesians 5:8-10

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

(v8, NIV)

We used to be darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. This is similar to chapter 2.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

(Ephesians 2:1-6, NIV)

We used to be dead in our trespasses, but God intervened and made us alive together with Christ. However, here in chapter 5, the contrast is not between being dead in our sins and alive with Christ, but the contrast is between darkness and light. We are the light in the Lord. We are to live as children of the light. We are his light and not our own light.

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

(v9, NIV)

Fruit reminds me of the fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians chapter 5. If we live by the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit. In the same way, if we live as children of light, maybe we'll also bear the fruit of the light.

and find out what pleases the Lord.

(v10, NIV)

We should seek out and find out what please the Lord. We are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, so we should live for him. We should live to please the Lord.

and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

(v2, NIV)

Are we not to live a life of love, as Christ loved us? Don't you want your life to be a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God? Let us seek to please him in living our lives for him.