“For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)
Remember when you were a kid, and you were scared of the dark? I was one of those kids who always wanted to sleep with the light on. But the years have passed, and now I turn the light off at night without a second thought. But as a Christian, I remain sensitive to spiritual darkness, and I can’t help but notice how dark it is getting lately. The truth is that it is growing darker and darker in this world we live in. You can almost feel it, it is just that heavy and oppressive. It’s enough to send a little chill up your spine.
The lack of absolute truths has created a society full of those who do what is right in his or her own eyes. “This is my truth and that is your truth” has become the mantra. The morals and values that were once lauded and esteemed so highly in America are now regularly disregarded and often even openly scorned and mocked. And after nearly five decades of this kind of living, what do we have to show for it? Our moral relativism has produced moral decay beyond belief. We have sought to replace God’s laws with laws based on our human definition of right and wrong, and what seems good in our own eyes. God’s laws are said to be outof- date, and even called depraved.
Depraved? No, depraved is teaching children that everything goes, to just do what feels right, leaving children with no foundation to ground them, no clear standards to steady them. Depraved is schools refusing to give a child Tylenol for a headache without her parents’ consent, yet insisting it is legal to take that same child to get an abortion without ever having to even notify her parents. Depraved is declaring that a child’s right to live is second to a mother’s right to choose.
The Supreme Court is now deliberating over whether or not to redefine marriage from what God established. Yet, when marriage isn’t being redefined, it is disregarded in favor of cohabitation and “free sex”, which, it turns out, isn’t quite as “free” as first thought. We have filled our movies and music with all the foul language, sex scenes and violence we can manage, while simultaneously wondering why our nation is virtually crumbling around us. We have kicked God to the proverbial curb, tearing down every thing that is “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8), setting up idols of darkness in their place.
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” -2 Timothy 4:3-4
My dear friends, this time is here, now! Oh yes, it is getting very dark outside!
But the sad truth is, the world loves the dark, because its deeds are evil: “And this is the judgment, the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:19- 20)
And yet, lest we believers should lose heart, we are reminded by Jesus: “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
So although this indeed is a dark world we live in, we as Christians do not walk in darkness. And furthermore, Jesus tells us: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14- 16)
The words “so that they may see” stand out to me as I write this verse. It is impossible to see much of anything in the dark, but if we are shining the light of Christ, those in the world may see our good works and come to repentance. But this indicates that we must be walking obediently with the Lord.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7)
We are commanded to “walk as children of light”: “Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now your light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:7-8)
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:15)
Now this doesn’t mean the world is going to suddenly start loving the light, of course. But we are to continue to shine His light until He comes! Imagine how pitch-black it will be in that moment after the Church is raptured! Will the world be glad of this? I’m not so sure…The old phrase, “Be careful what you wish for” comes to mind. So, in closing, if you belong to Christ, there is no need for fear, no matter how dark it may get! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
If you have not accepted Christ as Savior, please don’t wait another moment to do so! You are not guaranteed another day, another hour, or even another moment to choose Jesus as Lord of your life, but you do have this moment. Choose life now.
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 44:6-7)
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)