For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Summary: Paul has the unenviable task of explaining realities that we cannot see with our human eyes. To give us a picture of what he is talking about, he uses an illustration of light and dark.
The Gospel of John begins this way:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
The “Word” John refers to is Jesus (John 1:14). John continues his description of Jesus with these words:
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4)
In Genesis, chapter three, we read about Adam and Eve and their rebellion against God. The serpent promised Eve that eating from the forbidden tree would open her eyes and she would “be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) What the serpent neglected to tell Eve was that “knowing good and evil” is not the same as being able to tell the difference between good and evil.
Once we see the difference, we see the choice before us. We can serve our own self-interest and put ourselves above God, or we can serve God. We can walk alone in darkness, or be light in the Lord.
Without God’s light, we cannot tell the difference between good and evil. With God’s light, with his Word and his Holy Spirit, our eyes not only “see” good and evil, but we can see the difference, too.
The mystery of the Gospel is difficult for us mortals to understand. We like to think of ourselves as intelligent beings, rational and logical. And yet we disprove that thesis every day. Our ability for self-delusion and rationalization is beyond measure. Without God’s light, we walk in darkness by the “light” of our own thinking and imagination. We imagine that what little we see is all there is to see. We think that the whispers of the serpent are really our own thoughts.
Have you ever experienced true darkness? Isolation from God is spiritual darkness. God’s truth is the light of all mankind. If we close the door to that truth, we close the door to light.
Spiritual light is similar to physical light. Instead of illuminating the physical world, spiritual light illuminates the heart and mind (Proverbs 1:7). Spiritual light makes things visible that we couldn’t see otherwise.
Application: Choose Jesus!
Food for Thought: In practical terms, how does walking in spiritual darkness compare with being light in the Lord?
In practical terms, how does walking in spiritual darkness compare with being light in the Lord?
In practical terms, if one has walked in the light, I mean given over their will to the Lord and the guidance of the Spirit, and then through bad decisions, stepped out of the light, there is a very distinct difference in their life. I mean that quite literally. One finds themselves in discord. Peace is hard to find. But the mind-blowing reality is that all one has to do is submit to begin stepping back into the light.
The peace that the Spirit gives is so hard to describe. Peace from fear, peace in validation, feeling loved and cared for, a sense of purpose, belonging.
Luke 6:37-38 ESV “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
I know that speaks to that speaks to our relationships with others, but it think it speaks to our relationship with the Lord as well. I believe they are tied together. Our mindset and “heart set” towards God and our neighbor speaks to our willingness to walk in the light. To submit to His will. If one submits their will to the Lord, in every decision, they walk in the light, and know peace. If one walks in the darkness, they cannot receive the peace that the Spirit brings. The longer one walks in the Spirit, in the light, the quicker they feel the absence of the light. Its not like a “light switch.” Turn on/turn off. One can walk in the light, an then step out by making bad choices, and then once one realizes, they feel that absence, and the need to submit. We have talked previously about mistakes and disobedience. Mistakes are mistakes, and I believe the Spirit will help you recognize them, not to condemn us, but to keep us in the light. But then there is a point when mistakes are recognized and there is no submission, which becomes disobedience. And then there is disobedience as willful disobedience. Both quench the Spirit, prevent Him from bringing us peace.
Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Thanks Chris!
Well said. I appreciate how you develop the idea of being experienced in walking in the light and how that experience teaches us to recognize the shadows when we stray away from the light.
Thanks for the devotion and I like CH’s response. I don’t have much to add other than it is a night and day difference. One has Jesus and the other does not. That is all I need to know because I know that I need Jesus.
Night and day difference???!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Gold stars for the pun!! 🙂
I was hoping you would notice that😊
08-14-2023, In practical terms, how does walking in spiritual darkness compare with being light in the Lord?
Darkness refers to all that is opposed to God which includes everything from the darkness of human sin to the dark power of the devil.
God is light! In Him there is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as He is light, the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from all sin and we have fellowship with one another. Light will always overcome darkness, as it reveals all that is hidden in darkness, and provides the power needed for the giving and sustaining of life. All who claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness are lying, and do not live by the truth. 1 John 1:5-7
Jesus clearly tells us He is the light of the world. “Whoever follows me is purified of all sin and will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We are no longer dead in our sins, but have life and are a beacon of light to all mankind. John 8:12, 1 John 1:7, John 1:4
The light of Jesus Christ dispels the darkness in a believers heart. Illuminates God’s word allowing us to see it is the Good News, speaking the truth of God’s love and power into our hearts and unshakeable faith in truths now known, the ability to overcome any obstacle, no matter how dark.
We are no longer blind but can clearly see Good and evil for what they are. We are no longer deaf or lame, and can hear and walk according to Gods will over our own. We have the ability to share His light as we understand and speak God’s truths to those around us.
Ron,
Thank you for your words today! It is interesting that we can be “blind” and not know we are blind. When we are “born again” we are like kittens, our eyes begin to open, but they don’t open all at once. Sometimes it takes years for our eyes to fully open. As they open, we can see the light more and more clearly.
God bless!
Exactly, it’s a process and everyday with the Lord gets better!
Blessings!