“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” – John 3:19-20
It is not hard to read or hear about past and
present wrong doings. Bad, harmful things perpetrated against other people
because they are different, ethnically, nationally, the list is long. Those
sins might be corporate – where many people participated – or individual –
where it is just one person. I am not just talking to about the United States –
I am referring to the entire world – both past and present. The world be live in is broken – sin sick. When
you consider politics, economics, or any other aspect of life on this planet we
must always – always be mindful that – in large measure – it is the best people
who live and do apart from God can do. Of course not everything is bad or
harmful – but that does not excuse things that are.
Sad to say that there have been many things have
done and many things are being done, corporately and individually, by those who
profess the Jesus is their Lord. Actions that are justified by consensus. That
it is really OK. Not because the Bible says it is but because people have
agreed that it is. Again – this is a
problem in the world – not just in our country or community.
“This is the
message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in
Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and
yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” – 1 John
1:5-6
You know, I write these devotions with one purpose in mind – to encourage professing Christians to “be the light” and not walk in darkness (starting with me). It is a simple and repetitive message. But we have to be reminded – I have to be reminded - encouraged – challenged. I know that I don’t like to be reminded of where I have fallen short – it makes me feel bad – guilty even – doesn’t it you? No one likes that feeling – not when we are content with our sin. When we feel justified in doing what we are doing.
“So David’s anger was greatly aroused against
the man, and he said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall
surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this
thing and because he had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!
Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I
delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your
master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah.
And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why
have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?’” –
2 Samuel 12:5-9
You know the story – David was living the “good”
life but there was something not right – he was walking in darkness – even though
God has shown him grace and mercy. Read Psalm 51 which is David’s response to
that confrontation. Typically we don’t want to think about what we have done
that does not honor God or fulfill the two greatest commandments (Matthew
22:37-39) Instead we want to ignore it – or worse – convince ourselves that our
sin was justified. It never is. The world needs to see the light. That light reflected
in the lives of Christians who are walking in it. It doesn’t matter what color
your skin is – what your natural heritage is – who Ancestry.com says your
ancestors were – what matters is that you have been born again – bought by the
blood of Jesus – empowered by the Holy Spirit – and charged to be witnesses to
a world that is going to hell in a hand basket. Where do you start?
“By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
That would be a good place to start –
Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it –
Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His
Glory Alone
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