The Light of the World (John 8:12-20)

Today's scripture: John 8:12-20

We live in a very dark world. What used to be right is wrong. What used to be wrong is right. Truth is relative. Selfishness abounds. I'm going to do whatever I want to because it's all about me.

Sometimes it seems as though the light is forever dimmed. I don't even like to watch the news any more ... it's just too depressing. This morning, my husband had the news on as I was prepping for our upcoming vacation. I wasn't really paying attention, but a sound bite or two permeated. Five teens were killed because the driver was allegedly speeding. Another rounds of tornadoes are heading to the mid-west ... on the heels of the devastating storms from last week. A young starlet seems to be imploding.

Is there any good news? Sometimes it just doesn't seem there is.

But there is good news. The best news of all, as a matter of fact.

Jesus is still the light of the world. He offers hope, peace, and comfort. He promises hope in a seemingly hopeless world. He is the one light that pierces the darkness.

And because He is in those of us who have committed our lives to Him, His light shines through us as well.

Yes, we live in a very, very dark world. And it seems to be growing ever-darker. But we can have hope ... those of us who follow Christ, that is. One day, there will be no more darkness. God Himself will be all the light we'll need (Revelation 21:23; 22:5).

For now, though, let's shine Christ's light. Let's be those small beacons that guide others to that light.

Walk in the Light (1 John 1:6-7)

Today’s scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

John doesn’t pull any punches with these verses. And his words are highly prophetic, for we live in a society of “Christians.” Polls still show a high percentage of people in the United States call themselves Christians. But they certainly don’t “walk in the Light.”

But even for those of us who are true Christ-followers, how often do we “walk in the darkness”? How many of us have a hidden sin—or maybe not so hidden? How many of us show one face to our Christian friends, yet yell at our spouses or belittle our children? How many of us serve our community, yet neglect our families? Cheat a little here. Steal a little there.

Habitual sin is “walking in darkness.” And if we practice sin, we’re liars.

I don’t know about you, but I want to “walk in the Light.” I want to have “fellowship with one another.” I want Jesus to shine through me.

And I want to please Him by living as He would. I want to cast off anything that would keep me from being God’s servant. Because how can I do anything less? Jesus died for me, and His blood “cleanses us from all sin.”

So how can I continue to practice sin?

God's Pure Light (1 John 1:5)

Today’s scripture: 1 John 1:5

A long while ago, when Russ and I were on vacation, we visited some caverns. I can’t remember exactly where, but I do remember being down in a huge cave, and at one point, the tour guide turned out the lights. I’ve never been in any place so completely dark. No light anywhere. Not one smidgeon (not sure I’ve ever used that word in a blog!).

Complete and utter darkness.

Have you ever experience complete darkness? Either literally or figuratively?

Other than that one time in the cave, I’ve never experienced complete darkness—literally, that is. But I’ve certainly experienced figurative darkness. Sometimes it was of my own making. Sometimes it was because of what others did.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you may remember my writing about experiences with sexual abuse. Although the Lord has given me “closure” about those times, I still recall a couple of incidences that were very dark.

You may also know I deal with six chronic health issues, and when all six hit at once—which happens more and more often these days—it can be very dark.

But guess what? I serve a God who is light. Pure light. When I’m suffering, when I’m uncertain, when the path before me seems dark, I can call to Him, and He’ll light my way. Now, I may only see a step or two in front of me, but that’s okay. Because I know He’s beside me, and I can trust Him to provide whatever light I need. For the moment.

If you’re in a dark place right now, call out to the One who is light. He’ll light your path and fill the darkness with His glory.

The Light (2 Cor. 4:5-6)

For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
(2 Corinthians 4:5-6, NASB)

Many of us live in darkness. The darkness of physical pain. The darkness of emotional turmoil. The darkness of troubled relationships.

Some of us even live in spiritual darkness.

Only One person can bring us into the light, no matter what darkness we face.

Jesus Christ—Messiah, Savior, Redeemer—is the Light. He shines through the darkness, and He leads us through whatever murky valley we’re traveling.

As the psalmist wrote, “I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me …” (23:4, CEV).

John also wrote about the Light: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5, NKJV).

When we commit our lives to God, we too walk in the light, and we should reflect that light to others. Just two verses later in 1 John, we read, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1:7). And as Matthew wrote, we are to be light to others: “Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven” (5:16, CEV).

God’s light does and will shine out of darkness. We can cling to His hand, and He will lead and guide us.

And most wonderful of all? One day, we will live with Him in heaven where darkness will be abolished forever:

Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age. (Revelation 22:5, MSG)

I can’t wait!