Tag Archives: John 8:12

The Best Christmas Lights Of All? Bible Ballistics: Repost of BBs #320

16 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Every Knee Shall Bow, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #320 The Best Christmas Lights Of All?

An edited Repost from 2016—I pray that it will be an encouragement to us all.

 

“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

Jesus IS the “light of the world”!  He not only created light but He Himself IS light.  Jesus came into this world to BE the ONLY way to God.  And the very best ‘Christmas lights’ that we can display is a life lived by the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, to be a reflection of God’s light, truth and glory in a world of darkness.  We need to shine that light regardless of the darkness and blindness of those who will not see.  After all Jesus Himself was rejected by those who wanted to stay in the darkness.

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:4-5

Jesus is the creator and sustainer of life who He came into this world to deliver those who will believe in Him, from the penalty, power and eventually even the presence of sin.  It’s what HE came to do, and when our light shines for Him we can share that Good News with those in need of Jesus and His saving grace!

“Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Our light is to shine for Jesus (Our light IS Jesus!), even when people around us reject the light, or even ridicule and persecute us for our faith in Him.  We can expect the same treatment that our Lord received.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds

were evil.”  John 3:16-19

There will always be those who reject the light, but when we belong to Jesus, His light has been planted within our hearts and it should be the pursuit of our lives to let HIS light shine through us.  We can hide our light or let it shine for HIM!  Just as the moon has no light of its own, neither do we; apart from Jesus (See John 15:5), and much like the wonder of an eclipse, we can be a clear reflection of the light of Jesus shining His light onto those around us, or we can let the world “eclipse” our light and have little to no effect on the people around us.  May we all strive (especially during this time when people are more open to the news of the “Babe in the manger”) to be the “Best Christmas Lights Of All”?

God’s purpose before the creation of the world was the redemption of man—He knew we would sin before He created us and He loves us so much that He created us anyway!  He chose Abraham to be the father of Israel and provided that through his seed the Messiah would come.  And God also promised that He would be the Savior of all who would believe, whether Jew or Gentile.  Just as John wrote, “God so loved the world, that he gave”.  God sent Jesus that we might have life in Him, through the salvation that He would purchase at Calvary.

A baby born to die for our sin—that’s how much God loves YOU!  And if you know Him, shouldn’t your light be shining brighter than any string of decorations?

“Thus saith God the Lord,

he that created the heavens,

and stretched them out;

he that spread forth the earth,

and that which cometh out of it;

he that giveth breath

unto the people upon it,

and spirit

to them that walk therein:

6 I the Lord have called thee

in righteousness,

and will hold

thine hand,

and will keep thee,

and give thee

for a covenant of the people,

for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open

the blind eyes,

to bring out

the prisoners from the prison,

and them that sit in darkness

out of the prison house.”  Isaiah 42:5-7

God opens the blind eyes to see their own sin (If they will but hear the voice of His Spirit!) and He will deliver them through the sacrifice of Jesus, when they will believe in Him.  He loves you and me today and wants us to come to Him.  We can choose light or darkness.  What are you choosing today?  If you don’t know Jesus, He is calling to you today—if you will but respond in repentance of sin that you can’t fix, and believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the ONE who came to fix/pay for your sin and mine.  It’s why He came.  And coming to Him will enable His light to shine from within you and me, for He places His peace, light, joy and love in our hearts.

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”   Romans 5:5

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;

but righteousness,

and peace,

and joy

in the Holy Ghost.”   Romans 14:17

So SHINE!  SHINE the “the light of the world” TODAY!

Amen and Amen!!!

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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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

The Light Of The Star Leads On!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No.18

23 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, The Light of The Word IS Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 The Light Of The Star Leads On!!!

 

In this brief post, I simply want to remind each of you that the Light of the World IS Jesus—the Star that led the wisemen, is almost an oxymoron; in the sense that “a” light shone bright in the sky and led them, as it will lead us today, to “The” Light of the world!  This baby, come to “save his people from their sins” was shined upon, that we might see where He IS!  But the important thing is to KNOW this precious Lord and Savior personally—to receive the gift that HE IS—The “Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world”!

And there’s another thing I want to remind us of, Christmas IS about Jesus—The Light of the world!  And the LIGHT overcomes the darkness of this world!  My (every true, born-again believer’s) job is to point people to that light; not only the light of that guiding star, but to The One who IS THE LIGHT!  We can trust in His love, compassion, and saving grace!  I don’t have to put out the darkness—I simply have to let HIS light shine through me.  Today, tomorrow, even last Thursday, when the darkness shouted out so loudly, and for every day which will come!

“Dearly beloved,

avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

Vengeance is mine;

I will repay,

saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,

feed him;

if he thirst,

give him drink:

for in so doing

thou shalt heap coals of fire

on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil,

but overcome evil with good.”   Romans 12:21

God IS good!

“Behold, the hour cometh,

yea, is now come,

that ye shall be scattered,

every man to his own,

and shall leave me alone:

and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me

ye might have peace.

In the world

ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”  John 16:32-33

And in closing, I want to say that while the darkness may have taken my beloved daughter from my sight—she’s not IN the dark!  She’s been transported, translated and delivered into the loving arms of her Savior and mine—into the arms of Jesus-the “light of the world”!

“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

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I’ll write again as I can through this “valley of the shadow of death” but it may be a few days.  Thank you for your kind concern and prayers!  May you see the light—receive the light—and reflect the light! My prayer for us all:

“For it is God which worketh in you 

both to will 

and to do 

of his good pleasure. 

14 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;”   Philippians 2:13-15

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Jesus In Genesis Pt. 2!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06

24 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Creator, Cross, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06    Jesus In Genesis Pt.2!!!

 

“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.” John 1:1-13

I’d like for us to continue our look at Jesus, The Son of God, by rehearsing this passage from John 1 which deals with the spiritual life that Jesus creates in those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

“All things

were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:3-5

Here we find that Jesus IS creator, as well sustainer, of life; not only all things physical, but life and light—spiritual life and light—for all who will believe.  He brings life to the dead—the lost (See Ephesians 2:1-10).  It’s why HE came in the flesh to redeem and rescue God’s crowning glory of creation—man!  Albeit, man who sinned and marred the wondrous creation of God.  Jesus is “The Word”—God made flesh, to redeem flesh and blood humans who will come to Him, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which He made at Calvary, with His own blood.  The greatest act of restoration and redemption ever wrought.  And it’s all seen in Genesis!  How did God create?  By His “Word”!

“And God said, Let there be light:

and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

Light—God created light, not the luminaries, but the very essence of time, space and energy that holds creation together.  And that IS Jesus.

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners

spake in time past

unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness

of his glory,

and the express image

of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself

purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”   Hebrews 1:1-3

It IS Jesus who holds all creation together, and HE is “upholding all things by the word of his power”; and also has “by himself purged our sins”—all of them!

But let’s get back to Genesis:

“And God said,

Let there be a firmament

in the midst of the waters,

and let it divide

the waters from the waters.”  Genesis 1:6

While Jesus is known to many as a ‘prophet/teacher’ of peace, He also tells us that He is a great divider.

“But I have a baptism

to be baptized with;

and how am I straitened

till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come

to give peace on earth?

I tell you, Nay;

but rather division:

52 For from henceforth

there shall be five in one house divided,

three against two,

and two against three.”    Matthew 12:50-52

The division mentioned here is a spiritual division, those who choose Jesus will pay a price.  What price are you paying?  Paul made this clear to Timothy!

“Yea, and all

that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;”   2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus made it clear that following Him would not be popular—no more popular than HE was!

 “If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word

that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:19-21

Jesus Himself IS the Creator!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth grass,

the herb yielding seed,

and the fruit tree

yielding fruit after his kind,

whose seed is in itself,

upon the earth:

and it was so.”  Genesis 1:11

God created that which would sustain the man He would create as His crowning glory!  Well, Jesus is the sustainer of all things—He is the spiritual food for all who will come to HIM!

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst…

50 This is the bread

which cometh down from heaven,

that a man may eat thereof,

and not die.

51 I am the living bread

which came down from heaven:

if any man eat of this bread,

he shall live for ever:

 and the bread that I will give

is my flesh,

which I will give for the life

of the world.”  John 6:35 & 50-51

Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sin and sustain us for all eternity with eternal life!  Praise God for such love and care—the sustainer of and giver of life, both now and for eternity!

Now, more from Genesis!

“And God said,

Let there be lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to divide the day from the night;

and let them be for signs,

and for seasons,

and for days,

and years:

15 And let them be for lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth:

 and it was so.”  Genesis 1:14-15

I love that “God said”…”and it was so”, for Jesus is the “Word” that God spoke on our behalf—all to bring men to the light; the very ‘light of the world’.

“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

 

“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid

to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds of them

which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.”    2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Jesus delivers us out of darkness, into HIS light by the power of God!

“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

Pressing on—back to Genesis chapter 1.

“And God said,

Let the waters bring forth abundantly

the moving creature that hath life,

and fowl that may fly above the earth

in the open firmament of heaven.

21 And God created

great whales,

and every living creature

that moveth,

which the waters brought forth

abundantly,

after their kind,

and every winged fowl

 after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:20-21

God is creator of all things, and all that God created was good—yet when man sinned, all creation fell, and while all creation will be redeemed when The Lord returns, it is still groaning with us until that time.

“Because the creature itself

also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption

 into the glorious liberty

of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation

groaneth

and travaileth

in pain together

until now.”  Romans 8:21-22

Jesus blood will redeem all of God’s creation, and He will deliver creation from the curse when HE comes!  All because of the sacrifice of His blood for us!

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:”   1 Peter 1:18-19

Continuing with God’s creation, we find not only the cattle and earth created, but also creation’s crowning glory—man!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth the living creature

after his kind, cattle,

and creeping thing,

and beast of the earth

after his kind:

and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth

after his kind,

and cattle

after their kind,

and every thing that creepeth upon the earth

after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.

26 And God said,

Let us make man

in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.” Genesis 1:24-27

God created us in His own image, and even though we sinned and ruined His creation, He had already made the plan for our salvation—JESUS! And as the picture, which Paul so beautifully paints for us, makes it clear, Jesus brings spiritual life to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith—those who will receive eternal life, and gain victory over sin, death and hell!

“It is sown a natural body;

it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body,

and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written,

The first man Adam

was made a living soul;

the last Adam

was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first

which is spiritual,

but that

which is natural;

and afterward

that which is spiritual.”  1 Corinthians 15:44-46

This is the same Jesus whom we see from Genesis to Revelation!  The Savior–The sacrifice—The victor—The Soon coming King!

“So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!  Father, Son and Holy Spirit—thank you that In Jesus–we win!!!  The God of creation!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Savory And Bright??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #515

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Born Again, Darkness or Light?, Salt & Light, Savory And Bright

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #515  Savory And Bright???

 

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot

of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light

so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”    Matthew 5:13-14

When we look around us, it seems that our world is falling apart; or as an old adage says, “The world is going to Hell in a hand-basket”! As I often wonder why, I see how the world has changed in my lifetime, and I can’t help but think how sad it is that God’s own children have failed to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”! I believe that we who claim to be His children have failed to be the salt and light that God called us and saved us to be!

We are to ‘be’ not ‘do’ “the light of the world” for we have no light of our own, but only Jesus’ indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to “reflect” the “light of the world”! But the world doesn’t like light, much like the Charles Dickens tale of Scrooge who asked the “spirit of Christmas past” to dim the light because it hurt his eyes; so it is in our world today! Yet instead of shining brighter and stronger in “the power of His might”, we have dimmed our light to accommodate the whims of men instead!

“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

Even as Jesus said in our Matthew passage above, we are to shine so that the world will “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”, reflecting HIS light, not our own!

“I am come a light into the world,

that whosoever believeth on me

should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

When we are born again, we possess the light and He us! But not everyone likes the light, but don’t let that stop you from shining!

“And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”   John 3:19-20

In fact the darkness so hated the light of Jesus, that they put HIM to death, and He told us that what they did to Him they would do to us! And our world has come to feel the same way about the truth of the Gospel that we preach, and instead of standing firm on The Word of God, many have watered down the truth, and compromised it for various reasons! Yet when we compromise God’s Word—we are forsaking the light and will find ourselves in the darkness! And we are being trampled as salt that has lost its savor, wondering why our world is what it is! When the light fails to shine, the darkness will pervade! When light shines brightly, darkness cannot occupy the same space—we must stop hiding our light “under a bushel” and once again reflect the true light our Lord Jesus Christ!

We must stop excusing our sin, repent and seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing so that His light will once again shine through HIS own!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 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;” Philippians 2:13-15

May we see the urgency of the hour and “withstand in the evil day” (See Eph. 6:10-18)– our culture depends on it! We can make a difference, one person at a time! People still need Jesus—the One Way to God—and the hope and abundant life that HE alone can give. We must commit our whole heart, and soul and mind to HIM in every thing, every day; giving Him our mind and our heart, reflecting HIM in our speech and actions. James makes it clear that our actions reflect what is in our hearts, and from what I see around me, there are a lot of dark hearts claiming to be in “the light”!

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.”   James 3:8-13

Jesus Himself tells us the truth of the matter is in the heart.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.”   Matthew 12:34-35

“But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications,

thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”   Matthew 15:18-19

So as our title suggests are we being the savory salt and the bright light of Jesus to the world? Or have we become useless to a dark and corrupt world because our light has dimmed and our salt has no savor? In closing, a simple reminder that Jesus stands ready to restore our shine and our savor! HE is Lord? But is HE your Lord?

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”    1 John 1:9