First, the nature of darkness:
- It lacks understanding: And the light shines in darkness; and
the darkness comprehends it not. John 1:5 - It produces no fruit: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph. 5:11
- It is a prepared place: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to who is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 1:13
- It a place of judgment: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. 2 Peter 2:4
- It is a place of extreme torture: And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. Rev. 16:10
Is this darkness also in us?
Even as we live today, we stand condemned if we do not have the light. And
this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19) Jesus said: But
if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that
darkness! (Matthew 6:23). He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. (1 John 2:9) Do you love
your brother? Do you hold anything against him (or her) today? If so,
be reconciled with him today and reflect the light of Christ’s grace in
doing so.
How is this darkness overcome?
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) He is the one who opens eyes,
and turns souls from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto God, that we may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among
them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ. (Acts 26:18) But
you, loved ones, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him
who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Live your live in complete illumination, do nothing in secret!
The light of the world vs. the darkness of this age:
Who is the light?Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Why has this light come?Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the wellspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78, 79) Therefore
whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and
that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed
upon the housetops. (Luke 12:3) It is the Lord who brings to light the hidden things of darkness.
How do we walk in this light? Put on the whole armor of God
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:11, 12) Darkness
is powerless over the true light, who is Christ the Lord! Ultimately
darkness will be illuminated. Brothers and sisters, we cannot serve two
masters: darkness and light. We must choose which we will serve today?
James
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