BIBLE MESSAGES Light and Darkness Light has always been considered an invaluable thing. At the very beginning of the existence of the universe we find revealed the need for light. God spoke and there was light {Gen 1:3]. God further divided light from darkness and called the light Day and the darkness, Night. From that time light has not only had a prominent place in man's life, but light has also had a special meaning concerning his spiritual needs and relationship to God. While light serves many useful purposes, its foremost and primary function is to dispel darkness. If light is present then darkness cannot remain. In the same sense where there is darkness, light is not found. In keeping with the face that Jesus used those things which people were most familiar, it is understandable that he would use this clear relationship between light and darkness to teach His followers concerning the Kingdom of God. While light is most desirable, not everyone wants light. The thief who seeks to take that which is not lawfully his looks for the cover of darkness. The individual who violates the prescribed laws of our nation finds the hours of darkness a strong ally. Likewise, spiritually those who prefer darkness to light do so because they do not wish their deeds made known. It may be argued that many good people are sincere and honest in their failure to come to the light. While this may be true in some cases, I believe that far too often once the light, or truth, has been revealed that those who continue to refuse it cannot cover it with the claims of honesty and sincerity. Jesus said that men stood condemned because that the light is come and men loved darkness more than light because their deeds were evil [John 3:199. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" [John 8:12]. since the light is come into the world and is available, there is no reason for many to deliberately walk in darkness. The light, or truth, is hidden only because men have allowed Satan to blind their minds [2 Cor. 4:4]. God has provided the light through His Son, Jesus, that we might have a knowledge of the glory of god [2 Cor. 4:6]. Thus we are admonished to avoid the worthless things darkness [Eph. 5:11] but rather look to the light which comes only from Christ [Eph. 5:14]. We are faced day by day with the concept that truth is relative. It is argued that what was truth one hundred years ago is not truth today and that what is true today may not be true one hundred years from now. This may well be true in relationship to man's limited knowledge of those things under consideration. The believe that the earth was flat in Columbus' day did not make it a truth but rather an error in their understanding. Just as surely as the sun will continue to give light to all the earth until God deems the time fulfilled and calls a halt to this great universe; likewise the Word of God will remain as the only light for man's spiritual eyes. And regardless of what men may say or do, nothing will change it or destroy it [Matt. 24:35]. Written by: Charles E. Littrell |