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Could you imagine living in a world with no light, no sun, no moon, no stars, no electricity... only complete darkness? Are you able to imagine it? It’s hard. Light pervades everything I know and see...colours...looking around...memories of the past...hopes and dreams for the future...the gift of life today. Even on a more biological level that we aren’t so conscious of - our bodies absorb nutrients from the sun, our circadian rhythms are governed by the cycle of day and night. Get this: light travels at a speed of 299,792,458 metres per second. Can you even wrap your mind around that? Light is an instantaneous phenomenon of nature, a wonder of God’s creation. In the Bible, God refers to his word, his love, his truth as the light. The Psalmist says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps. 119:105). Light gives life.

And now for a word that makes people uncomfortable: sin.

Sin is an offense against God, against other people, and/or even against ourselves. We may sin using our words, thoughts, actions, or even by ignoring things that were asked of us. Sin is selfishness. Sin dehumanizes us.

The Bible shows us that when we live in sin, we live in darkness. Darkness can seem like a safe place, a place to hide without being seen but the reality is: sin is slow suicide. Sin is of Satan, the prince of darkness. When we give into sin, we give Satan power over our lives. Satan uses sin to brainwash us, distort our perception, corrupt our imagination, addict us, imprison and isolate us. He makes us slaves, sucks the life out of us and eventually destroys us. Satan is a sadomasochist: he is cunning, he takes pleasure in our pain, and he disguises sin in order to seduce us. We think that we can control ourselves and even our sin but before we know it, we lose control and are held captive to shame, fear, or even further seduction.

Sin is like a time bomb. What will happen when that time bomb goes off and you are holding onto it? Don’t hold onto sin. Step out of the dark you are hiding in: grow up and ‘fess up. It takes greater courage to come out rather than to be caught. God wants to disarm the time bomb you hold. His arms are always open waiting for you. He wants you to come willingly to him.

1 John 1:5-7 says, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin”.

When the light (the truth, the good news) pierces the darkness, it exposes. When you step towards the light and turn from your sin, you will be disarmed by God’s love. Jesus will take your time bomb and sacrifice his life for you and beyond any logical explanation, he will conquer death and give you new and eternal life. Jesus is the light to lead you, the power to save you, the love to heal and restore you. The Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and empower you. 

To admit our wrongdoing, our sins, our selfishness, and to ask for forgiveness takes courage – confession is a sign of strength. To continue to justify, tolerate, become desensitized by them, to hide is a sign of weakness which will lead to demise. To live in the light requires constant confession. Read Romans 7:14-25 to hear Paul’s struggle with sin. If you and sin are friends, you can’t be. Don’t let sin win. Who or what do you want to control your life?

Light is hard to contain...

Light has everything to do with the coming of God’s Kingdom. Think of the contagious Christians in China: a place where the gospel in banned yet is shining and piercing even the darkest of places. With God, the life and light of our lives, there is hope and a future. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.  Live as children of the light!

Check it out!

Matthew 5:14-16 | 1 John 1:5-7 | Ephesians 5:8 | 1 Thessalonians 5:5 | Psalm 119:105

Questions to Ponder...

·         Why do many of us end up stumbling around in the dark, feeling lost?  What are the reasons you hide in darkness?

·         What sins do you need to confess and turn away from?

·         Light is hard to contain...if the good news that we say is living within us isn’t bursting forth, are we really walking in the light?  Are you hiding God’s light or letting it shine?

·         Do you have friends who are stumbling around in the dark? How can you be God’s light to them?

Songs that speak of Light...

This Little Light of Mine | In the Light – DC Talk | Healing begins – Tenth Avenue North

-Heather

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