Do you know some house or yard that has an automatic light that comes on as you approach it in the dark? One reason for such a light is to discourage thieves from attempting to break in. Darkness is a great cover-up for evil. Jesus once said, "Men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." (verse 19.) When people do evil they
do not like to be clearly seen or recognised in the light.
Jesus wants to draw our attention to another kind of Light; one that shows up every evil and wickedness!
Every time a person disobeys God it is as if he/she is turning away from the "Light" to darkness. That darkness is very obvious in people's lives as they steal, or tell lies, or use images in worship, or covet what others have, or pray to others instead of to God only, etc. (Exodus 20:3-17.) You see,it is through God's commandments that we become conscious of sin. (Romans 3:20.)
God's Law, then, is like a LIGHT that shows up how sinful we are.
God gave us an even greater LIGHT when He sent His one and only Son into the world. He came as"the Light of the world", and as "the TRUTH". (John 8:12. 14:6.) Jesus Christ came, not only to show up the wickedness and sin of mankind, but to "take away the sin of the world". (John 1:29.) He came having the power of Light to take away the darkness of SIN.
Why then is there so much sin and darkness in our world today?
God says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil." (verse 19) Mankind wanted to reject and destroy Jesus, the Light, because He was showing up their sin and their empty and useless religions. (John 7:16-19. 8:34-47.)
What about you? Are you eager to check your beliefs with the teachings of Jesus? or are you quite content to continue in the things you want to believe and do, even if they are wrong! BEWARE! (John 5:39-44.)
Jesus said, "Everyone who does what is evil hates the Light, and will not come into the Light for fear that his deeds Will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (verse 21.)
So, the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is like a light which can show us what is right and what is wrong; (Psalm 119:9 & 105.), but it CANNOT take away the darkness of sin from our lives.
JESUS CHRIST is "the LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12.) who CAN REMOVE THE DARKNESS OF SIN FROM YOUR LIFE, BECAUSE He alone overcame the power of darkness, (Colossians 1:13. 1st John 3:7-10.) when He died for ours sins and rose again. (Acts 3:17-26.)
If you put your trust in Jesus Christ to take away your sins today, then you will want to walk in the light of His Word, the Holy Bible. (Acts 17:11.) You will no longer be happy to continue to walk in the darkness of sin. (Acts 26:18. Ephesians 4:17 - 5:20.)
Then, if you did turn aside into darkness and sin again, you would want to quickly return to Jesus who alone has the power of Light to forgive and remove that darkness of sin from your life. He would continue to lead you in His Light and Truth. (1st John 1:5-10.)
Read about the power of Light that most people refuse in John's Gospel chapter 3, verses 19-21.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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