Recently, while walking in a suburb in Honolulu that is not near where I live, I passed a church that often posts encouraging comments on its sign outside. That day the comment read: "Danger: satan is dimming our light so slowly the darkness seems normal."
Talk about food for thought!
Christians already know where this article is leading. But for many others, it may be a new notion.
Following is a short devotional by In Touch Ministries (Dr. Charles Stanley) concerning "Rejecting The Darkness) with its scriptural basis of Ephesians 5:1-7
And a very enlightening 36 minute sermon below by Pastor David Wilkerson titled : Man's Hour of Darkness Is God's Hour Of Power". Please watch !
Christians are familiar with John 8:12 which tells us: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world, he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
There we have, in the Savior's words at John 8, the way in which we may "Light up our lives."
Belief and Faith in Jesus as the Savior, and also to "follow" Him as best we can, is the key to light and completeness. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, but we should endeavor to follow Jesus; to walk in His footsteps, so to speak.
"And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." - Jesus at Luke 9:23
Keep in mind, that any "righteousness" we have, it is not really "our righteousness" but the righteousness which comes from the Lord.
Romans 3:10 informs us: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."
We are only justified by the blood of Christ.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5 :1-2
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement." - Romans 5:9-11
Being realistic, things are tough right now, and a bit overwhelming, but only if you take your eyes and mind off of Jesus and God's promises. We believers have a hope and faith that should give us strength and endurance.
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:13-14
Following is an excellent devotional by Charles Spurgeon titled - "The Lord Our Righteousness" which is a quote from Jeremiah 23:6 :
"It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further and remember that we are "Perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks, but surely we are called to mind that, "Christ is made unto us righteousness" we should be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though satan assault me, though there may be things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace. There is nothing wanting in my Lord. Christ hath done it all. On the cross He said, "It is finished." Then am I complete in Him and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. You will not find on this side of heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness. When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus; then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought: "Shall I not live to Christ, shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?" "The love of Christ constraineth us", that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them. If saved by imparted righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness."
In Pastor David Wilkerson's sermon video above, he mentions the old hymn "Jesus is the Light of the world." Following is a recent rendition of that hymn for you to enjoy:
Now is the time to turn to the good Lord in faith, for we are living in the last moments of the end times as the Bible has prophesied.
Following are Scriptures which explain salvation. Please take them to heart and repent if you are not a believer in the Savior Jesus; put your faith in Him and in His shed blood at the cross which can wash you clean and create in you a new heart. Pray for forgiveness and turn to the good Lord in complete surrender.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. - John 3:36
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believeth thou this?" - John 11:25-26
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life!
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