Dear Ones:
Darkness is the absence of light. In the depths of the deepest part of the oceans of this earth, there is minimal light…so minimal that we are apt to say that the light does not exist at all at those depths. And yet, when a light is brought into those depths, and shines through these deep, hidden waters, there is revealed life forms that are so different from those where the light is received. Indeed, we might say that the more light those “earth forms”and shallow sea dwellers, receive, the more they develop and reach their purposeful beauty and splendor.
Scripture tells us that Christ IS the light of the world. In John’s gospel, chapter 1:4, we discover that in Christ was Life; and the Life was THE light of men.” History reveals to us the reality of this declaration, for when we see the absence of the knowledge of Christ in a culture, we often see revealed the depravity, and degradation of human nature, and this in all of its hideous forms. In contrast to this reality, when there is the true knowledge of the person of Christ, and the abiding knowledge and experience of His Life, we see what Christ can do to change the hearts and lives of men, women, and children. He comes, not only to reveal to them the truth of Himself, but to dwell in their hearts. He has come to be true LIGHT in all who would believe.
But how is the power of such a revelation, the life of Christ in the heart, to be revealed, known, experienced…seen and heard? Again, in the first chapter of John, we read, “…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.” (v. 12) No amount of human endeavor or commitment can produce such a life, nor attain to it. It can ONLY be received by faith…for it is a gift…of God. To those who have understood that this is God’s only way to know this LIFE, comes a promise, “…to them gave He POWER (or authority), to become the sons of God. Not only is the “gift of life” to be received, but there is the authority of God, the very word of God, which declares that it WILL be given. Did Jesus not say, “Ask and ye shall receive…?” And did He not say to the Samaritan woman, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me a drink; thou wouldest have asked Him, and HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEE living water.” (Jn. 4:10) Later on in John’s gospel, he would define what this living water is: “…the Holy Spirit,” the very LIFE of Christ. (7:39) If we should have any hesitation about coming to Christ as we are, then we must remember His words: “….him that cometh to Me, I will in NO wise cast out.” (Jn. 6:37)
It is a difficult thing to grasp, and believe, that without Christ we are in darkness. It is because we grow accustomed to this darkness. But when the knowledge of Christ comes, and the light of His LIFE is revealed to us, as we see it in the Scriptures and also in the hearts and lives of those in whose hearts He dwells by the Spirit, then we begin to see and learn how dark this world is.
Only yesterday did we experience almost the complete eclipse of the Sun by the moon passing between earth and the sun. As the moon moved over the face of the sun, there was a shadow that crept across the landscape. The more of the suns rays that were blocked resulted in an increasing measure of darkness upon the land. What a remarkable, and welcome moment it was when the sun’s rays began to pour around the surface of the moon, back upon the earth in an ever-increasing measure. And so, it is with Christ…and us. May there be nothing between us and Him this day, nothing that can hinder in any measure the light of His LIFE received by our hearts, and revealed in and through us. Are we not all called to be torchbearers, LIGHT-givers…and this, in a very dark world? This shall only be possible as we are constantly receiving His blessed light and life, by faith. May He strengthen us in our hearts to believe Him fully, and receive the warmth and vibrancy of His life, by the Spirit.
Love, Dad