FLIP THE SWITCH!

Did you ever stop to think how awesome and incredible Light is? It is indescribable! One scientific definition is: "an electromagnetic energy that allows us to see, traveling as waves and particles called photons." Can I explain that? No, I cannot! But in today's blog I would like to talk about the essence of LIGHT as defined in the Bible.

Let's begin with "the beginning" in Scripture. "And God said, 'Let there be light.' And there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness" (Genesis 1:3-4). God did what we all do when we enter a dark room; "HE FLIPPED THE SWITCH!" The absolute power of God is conveyed here by the fact that He merely spoke and His creation took place. Light is the very first of God's creative works. God has always intended for there to be light and for light to have a definitive and good purpose! God never intended for there to be a mixture or a mingling together of light and darkness for "He SEPARATED the light from the darkness" (Genesis 1:4). Further, "God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. . . ." (Genesis 1:5). Again, God put in place at creation a distinction and separation of light and darkness, and of course, that separation is still in place today. Let's remember the Scripture teaches that "GOD IS LIGHT and in Him is no darkness at all!" (I John 1:5)

In the New Testament, there is a whole new definition and meaning to the word "LIGHT", which will be my focus for this writing. The introduction to the Gospel of John says, "In Him (Jesus) was Life, and the life was the Light of man. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:4-5). What was John The Baptist's job? "He (John) came as a witness, to testify about the Light (Jesus), so that ALL might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which coming into the world, Enlightens Every Man"

(I John 1:7-9). Let's examine carefully these verses.

1) Jesus is Life; abundant and eternal life. "Jesus said (to Thomas), "I am the WAY, and the TRUTH and the LIFE; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). "I came that you may have LIFE, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). "He who has the Son (Jesus) has the life (eternal); he who does not have the Son of God does not have the Life" (I John 5:12). "And the testimony is this, that God has provided us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (I John 5:11).

2) "The Light shines in the darkness." The light goes where needed! The darkness needs the light. As noted earlier, at creation, "God separated the light from the darkness." Darkness does not and cannot suppress light, BUT light always suppresses the darkness! Where light is there is NO DARKNESS!

3) "The darkness does not comprehend" the light. Why? Because of the inability of people in a state of spiritual sin, ignorance or opposition to God's truth to understand or embrace the spiritual light that Jesus IS! The spiritual darkness cannot grasp, accept or understand the power of the divine light of God's truth and revelation found only in Jesus Christ! While the Light shines, those in spiritual darkness, due to the fact they have chosen that spiritul darkness, cannot truly perceive its meaning or value. These people who live in spiritual darkness are there because of,

a) Their choice

b) Their spiritual blindness. The Greek (New Testament Original Language) word, "kalalambano" used in the Scripture means to "grasp," "understand," "overcome," or 'lay hold of". Thus, people blinded by the devil, sin, evil passions, or obstinate resistance or rebellion are truly incapable of recognizing or submitting to the spiritual truth, divine nature and redemptive purpose found in Jesus alone. It takes the Holy Spirit to penetrate the darkness of men's heart!

c) Their own personal rejection of Truth as Revealed In The LIGHT! This involves a deliberate, wilfull turning away from the Light. Just as a person with closed eyes cannot benefit from the light of the sun, those who are spiritually "in darkness" will not perceive or receive God's light, even though it is clearly presented to them. How, then, can people in such spiritual darkness be saved and receive everlasting life in Christ? Here's how!

First, they must become open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, who shows us our sin, God's righteousness, our pending judgment, the need for our repentance, God's desire to forgive our sin, remove our guilt and grant us everlating life. "And. . .He (The Holy Spirit) will convict the world (sinners) concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. . . ." (John 16:8-11).

Second, they must choose to surrender to Jesus for salvation! Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life" (John 8:12). On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preached and said, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (everlasting life)" (Acts 2:38). "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes and is justified, and with the mouth he confesses and is saved, for whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:9-10 and 13).

Third, you must receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior! "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

Let's call to mind these words of Scripture, "I am the LORD; I have called You in righteousness; I will hold You by the hand and watch over You. And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness (spiritual) from the prison" (Isaiah 42:6-7).

And Jesus has given each of His followers a mission to obey, "You are the light of the world; a city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).

Note the positive purpose of the LIGHT as revealed in Scripture.

1) Spiritual Light Dispels The Spiritual Darkness! Jesus told His disciples just before His crucifixion, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light" (John 12:35-36). The Psalmist said, "For You light my lamp; the LORD my God illumines my darkness" (Psalm 18:28). The Apostle Paul said, "But you, brethren, are not in darkness. . .for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness" (I Thessalonians 5:4-5). Again, God's Word tells us, "for you were formerly in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light" (Ephesians 5:8-9 and 13).

2) Spiritual Light Awakens Those In Spiritual Darkness! "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a Light dawned" (Matthew 4:16).

3) Spiritual Light Affirms Truth And Exposes Evil! Jesus taught, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought ("beaten into shape") in God" (John 3:19-21).

In closing, I am reminded of a Christian song with a country western flavor. . . "I Saw The Light":

"I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin, I wouldn't let the dear Savior in.

Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night, Praise The Lord, I saw the light!

Just like a blind man, I wandered alone, Worries and fears I claimed for my own,

Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight, Praise The Lord, I saw the light!

Refrain:

No more darkness, no more night. Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise The Lord, I saw the light!"

Another song that was even sung at Charlie Kirk's Memorial today includes these lines:

"He wraps Himself in light, And darkness tries to hide, And trembles at His voice, Trembles at His voice. How great is our God!

I urge you, Come to THE LIGHT! Have you "flipped the switch" in your life?