“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)