Everyone knows that when it is dark you use the light! Yet you will be surprised to find the very important lesson Jesus has to teach you and me in these words: "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."
1*.
When you have been in darkness for a long time and are used to it, or perhaps you have been doing something in the dark that you don't want to be discovered, then you do not welcome a bright light!
Many people who love their religion have found that they can get away with enjoying "the pleasures of sin" without their religion making it too difficult for them. Living in the semi-darkness of their religion, the last thing they want is to examine their lifestyle or their comfortable religion in the clear and brilliant light of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Jesus came into this dark, sinful world and He claimed, "I am the Light of the world."
2*.
He said, "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."
3*.
Jesus' message was clear: "Turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God " and "receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
4*.
Because the light of Jesus' message makes those who are living a life of disobedience and sinfulness feel very uncomfortable
5*.
they are unwilling to set Jesus up as their Light.
What about you? Are YOU wanting to continue in the darkness and superstition of some religion that helps you by regularly covering up the sinful pleasures you enjoy?! Or are you willing to repent - to turn from those sinful ways - by asking Jesus Christ for forgiveness and for the power to be able to live your life pleasing to God?
4*.
Do you want to examine your life and religion in the Light of Jesus' teachings? I hope you see why Jesus' simple advice about using the Light is as important and necessary today as it was long ago!
"Consider carefully how you listen."
6*.
Jesus said. Everything should be checked out in the proper light - the Light of the teachings of Jesus Christ. 7*.
If that doesn't appeal to you then you are like a person who wants to hide the true light in a jar or under a bed!!
1*.
Those who chose to walk in the Light of Jesus' teachings find true righteousness through faith in Him.
8*.
To them Jesus says, "Whoever has will be given more."
6*.
You see, "the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."
9*.
The true Christian will "walk in the Light as He is in the light."
10*.
But notice Jesus' very solemn warning to those who refuse His Light: "Whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him"!
6*.
The empty promises of their religion will leave them with nothing - except the judgement and wrath of a just and holy God!
Read about the need to use the Light in Luke's Gospel chapter 8, verses 16-18.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Footnotes.
Bible quotations were from the N.I.V.
1 Luke 8:16.
2 John 8:12.
3 See John 3:19-21.
4 Acts 26:17-20.
5 John 16:7-11.
6 Luke 8:18.
7 See Acts 17:11.
8 Romans 3:19-26.
9 Proverbs 4:18. Psalm 119:105,130.
101st John 1:7.
