Month: July 2023

Light In the Darkness

We live in dark times. Not only are sins openly allowed, they are celebrated. Movies, TV, and social media are filled with words and images that just a short time ago would have never appeared in public places. On top of that, anyone speaking against them or calling for constraint or decorum is called a hater of some kind and is then canceled or outright attacked.

Christians are portrayed as villains in movies and TV shows. A man plays Satan in a televised award show. A pro baseball team gives an award to a group that mocks Christ and those who believe in him. A movie exposing the horrors of child sex trafficking is demeaned as “right-wing propaganda,” while others call for unlimited abortions up to and after  birth. Our government, charged by God with restraining evil (Romans 13:4), instead condones and even promotes evil.

It is indeed a very dark time.

Sort of like the time into which Jesus was born.

In those days, the prevailing Greek and Roman societies promoted the worship of idols, that is, demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). Women practiced abortions, primarily by throwing their newborn babies onto the city dump. Pirates and highwaymen waylaid travelers, and human trafficking into slavery was so common that Paul had to address how slaves and their masters were to act toward each other (1 Timothy 6:1-2). Even among the religious Jews of the time there was corruption in business practices (“wicked scales and deceitful weights” – Micah 6:11) and ethnic bias. People were sinful then, just like now. It was a dark world then, just like now. As the French would say, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (“The more things change, the more they are the same.”).

The good news was that something was about to change – drastically. Not the nature of the world, but the solution to that darkened condition. Light was about to shine in the world. The Apostle John opened his Gospel with the Good News that “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9). Who or what was that light? The light was Jesus Christ, who in John 8:12 said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

So, what does light, especially the light of the world, do? What good is it?

  1. The first thing light does is reveal our path. Without light, we stumble in the dark; with it, we avoid obstacles and find our way safely. Twice this year, severe wind storms knocked out our power, leaving us without our computers (Oh, no!) or any lights. We dug out a couple flashlights and candles, allowing us to walk safely around the house until the power returned. In a world beset by spiritual darkness, we stumble from one false teaching or belief to another, ending up totally confused and lost. But spiritual light, in the person of Jesus Christ, shows us the way to salvation and eternal life with our heavenly Father. His coming fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah that “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16). He who announced that he is the light of the world also said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus not only lights the way to salvation, he is the lighted path himself.
  2. Another thing that light does is reveal things hidden in the dark. This especially applies to evil deeds, which try to hide unseen in obscurity.  That’s why most crimes happen at night, when the perpetrators can hide their identity, or cover up their misdeeds. That’s why political figures try to hide their crimes and moral failures by weasel words and cover-ups. The Bible proclaims that all such evil deeds will be brought to light in the day of judgment. 1 Corinthians 4:5 says when the Lord comes, he will “bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.”

Unfortunately, many who dwell in darkness – and even love it – don’t want the light or the One who brings it into the world. John 1:9-11 tells us, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” Why doesn’t everyone want the light of Christ in their lives? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” They have been spiritually blinded to the glory of Christ, not wanting to acknowledge their wickedness nor give up the sins which make them happy. Better to “turn a blind eye” to God’s commandments than to feel any obligation to obey them!  

But what about us? What part does Christ’s light play in our lives?

1. We trust that the true light will ultimately triumph, even if the darkness around us is so strong. John 1:4-5 says about Christ, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Similarly, the warning that the light will reveal the deeds of darkness shows the triumph of good over evil. In the words of the song, “This Is My Father’s World,” we hear, “For though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.”*

2. Like moths, we should flock to the light and avoid the darkness. The Bible warns us as Christians to no longer live in the darkness nor associate with it. This may mean dropping certain activities or friends that would tempt us to continue dark and destructive paths. 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” And Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 1:12).

3. At his Transfiguration, Jesus shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2). If he is like the sun, we are like the moon, reflecting his light into the world around us. That is why Jesus could say to us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). When we shine Christ’s light into the world, we reveal both its lost condition and the one way to its salvation. The world may not like to hear the first part, but it needs to hear the second. According to Romans 2, we are “a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness.” We take to heart the words of the old Sunday School song: “Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!”** Our duty as Christians is to walk in the light. Paul called us to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Our shining is a testimony to Christ and a call to follow the light to eternal life in Christ.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul called the world, “this present darkness,” and said it is under the influence of spiritual, cosmic powers of evil. We should remember that when we face the evil words and actions of people around us, we are not to hate them, but to enlighten them to the light of Christ, that they too, like us, may be called out of darkness and into God’s marvelous  light (1 Peter 2:9).  Ultimately, it is only the light of Christ that will chase away the shadows of spiritual darkness.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Read: John 1:1-14; Ephesians 6:11-13;

*”This Is My Father’s World”, by Maltie D. Babcock, 1901, public domain.

**”This Little Light of Mine”, by Harold Dixon Loes, public domain.

Alone But Not Afraid

While recently surfing the Internet (a favorite pastime during dialysis), I encountered some ads for a book titled, Alone and Unafraid. Ostensibly written by a former CIA officer, the book purports to teach the reader all kinds of secrets from the spy world about surviving various dangerous situations. Even if a person finds himself alone during a catastrophe, he need not be afraid; the book will teach him what he needs to know to endure safely.

Sounds like a deal. Who wouldn’t want to face life and whatever it dishes out without being afraid? It’s like Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.” (Act 2, Scene 2). How much more enjoyable is life when we don’t fear all kinds of things that may or may not happen to us?

The above referenced book title certainly appeals to one of people’s greatest fears: being alone. There’s something especially intimidating about facing problems on our own, without someone there to protect us, share our burdens, comfort us in our pain, and console us in our losses. There are many such tough situations:

1. You lose a loved one to death or other loss, especially a parent or spouse who loved us and provided financial support and handled daily practical needs. Maybe they paid the bills, drove us to school, work, or appointments. Or maybe they just provided companionship (“It is not good that the man should be alone” – Genesis 2:18), a listening ear, and a ready smile. Suddenly there is a void in life, a space that cannot be filled.

2. You are facing a challenge. Maybe it’s a test at school, or a job interview, or a public speech, or “the big game” you’ve been training for. Whatever it is, it is up to you and you alone to take it on. No one can do it for you. (Reminds me of preaching! Talk of feeling “Alone and Afraid” on a Sunday morning!)

3. You are dealing with a serious medical condition. No matter how many people encourage you, the bad news is about you alone, and you are the one who has to undergo whatever procedure or treatment is required. It’s hard not to feel alone and afraid when the doctor looks at your test results and frowns or says, “Oh, oh . . .”

4. You are physically alone due to some disaster. A flood, fire, earthquake, or riot separates you from your normal network of support, supplies, or caregivers. No outside people or providers are available to you as you hunker down or flee the situation. Imagine losing touch with family and friends as you become a refugee.

5. You are at the end of your days. As the words of the song, Ten Thousand Reasons**, put it: “And on that day when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come. . .” During the covid lock downs, too many people in hospitals and nursing homes had to die alone due to bans on visitors. Even Karen’s mother, though she lived another year, had to spend her 90th birthday alone due to restrictions. But even if you are surrounded by your whole family when the time comes, you have to make that final journey by yourself.

These situations can be very discouraging and potentially fear-inducing. But no matter how threatening they may be, with no other human being anywhere near us, we need not fear them, because our powerful and loving God promises to be with us, no matter what happens. Whether we see him or not, he knew what would happen to us long before it did, knows our fears and struggles, and will answer our prayers for help. God promises this to us many times in his Word.

1. When the mantle of leadership passed from Moses to Joshua, God told the new leader not to be afraid of the challenges ahead in conquering the promised land. He said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). This promise was not only for Joshua, but for all believers, because Hebrews 13:5 applies it to us: “for [God] has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2. The Psalms are full of celebration that God is with us in good times and bad. Psalm 3:6 rejoices, saying, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” Likewise, Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” And Psalm 56:11 claims, “in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” The psalmist even addresses loneliness in Psalm 25:16 by calling on God: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”

3. The basis of our courage and sense of togetherness with God is based on his love for us. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” And 1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” God’s perfect love for us guarantees his presence and comfort. We love our family even when we don’t see them. whether in the next room or across the country; likewise we know God loves us as his own children (John 1:12) even when we feel most alone.

4. God has come to be with us and in us, so we are never alone. Not only did Jesus promise to be with us: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age“(Matthew 28:20); he also said. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). Jesus continues in verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Why are we not afraid? Because God’s own Spirit is now in us, so we are never alone.

5. Finally, God does not promise to spare us all the problems of this  life, but does promise to be with us and strengthen us through them all.  Proverbs 16:4 says, “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” That God is sovereign and allows suffering is plain in the Scriptures: “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:14-16). But even if the problem we face is the ultimate one of death, even then God is with us. The Apostle Paul asked what can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus; and he concluded that neither “life nor death” nor anything else can do that (Romans 8:38).

Alone and afraid? Not so much. We don’t need a spy-master’s book to tell us that, for we have a better book, the Good Book, through which our God, who promises to be with us always in this life, also promises that we will be with him in the life to come.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Read: Psalm 46

*Alone and Unafraid, by Scott Hanson, Laissez Faire Press, c. 2018.

**Ten Thousand Reasons, by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin, released on Kingsway Music, 2011.