Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!
It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person. I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter. The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM! And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!
“That was the true Light,
which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world,
and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.” John 1:9-10
“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,
which thing is true
in him
and in you:
because the darkness is past,
and the true light
now shineth.” 1 John 2:8
Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light! Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,
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
We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit!
“Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers
of the inheritance
of the saints
in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today. It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it. Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!
“Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him,
How can a man be born
when he is old?
can he enter the second time
into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh
is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,
Ye must be born again.” John 3:3-7
And, just how are we born again? By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to! Have you heard His voice? Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus? Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?
“He was in the world,
and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own,
and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him,
to them gave he power
to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory,
the glory
as of the only begotten
of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14
Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”! Have YOU been born again? John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World. Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless
and harmless,
the sons of God,
without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine
as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life;
that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,
that I have not run in vain,
neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”! Beware of what you accepting as truth!
“For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers,
transforming themselves
into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel;
for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing
if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according
to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:
“Declare this in the house of Jacob,
and publish it in Judah, saying,
21 Hear now this,
O foolish people,
and without understanding;
which have eyes,
and see not;
which have ears,
and hear not:” Jeremiah 5:20-21
And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it. Check out your environment—is it light or dark?
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God,
and your sins have hid
his face from you,
that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2
So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours. But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!
“And you hath he quickened,
who were dead
in trespasses
and sins;
2 Wherein in time past
ye walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince
of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past
in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh
and of the mind;
and were by nature
the children of wrath,
even as others.
4 But God,
who is rich in mercy,
for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together
with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up
together,
and made us sit
together
in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come
he might shew the exceeding riches
of his grace
in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk
in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn,
and the day star
arise in your hearts:” 2 Peter 1:19
I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light! Amen and Amen!!!
“But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
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