Light in the Darkness

​Utter darkness.  A world blinded by the lies and deceit of Satan.  Hopeless, lost, slaves to sin, and broken beyond human repair.  Into this bleak world, God brought hope, help, redemption, and light.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
~II Corinthians 4:6

​This past year, my town has had a number of power outages.  While it may be cozy to sit and read books by candlelight for a while, there are other parts that are not so fun.  Trying to brush your teeth in complete darkness or figuring out what to make/eat for dinner without electricity can be inconvenient.  When the whole neighborhood is shrouded in darkness, the few places that have power really stand out.  They shine like beacons in the night with their light spilling out of each window.
 
This illustrates today’s truth:  the deeper the darkness the more impact light has.  Light eradicates darkness, it causes it to flee.  The two are mutually exclusive.  You cannot have light and darkness.  While the world is shrouded in darkness and blinded by the god of this age, the true and living God has given us the light of the gospel.  We are no longer members of Satan’s blinded world but are now lights and beacons of light to the darkness around us. 
 
While this is cause for rejoicing, it is also a big responsibility.  For just as light and darkness are mutually exclusive in the physical realm, so also we cannot have the light of God and willfully walk in sin.  But as the Apostle John wrote, we must walk in the light as God is in the light (I John 1:7a). 
 
If we are faithful to do so, we will be beacons of light and hope to the lost world around us.  For to us God has given the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  This is a great honor and privilege and one we should not take lightly. 
 
So will you be God’s light in the darkness that surrounds our blinded world?  Will you faithfully shine your light and not allow the darkness to creep in and snuff it out? 
 
Our world is growing increasingly dark as the years march on; however, in this time our light can shine that much more brightly.  So let us be faithful to the call we have received and remember this command of Jesus:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
~Matthew 5:14-16