“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16). Without the light of God’s truth, men remain in spiritual darkness, alienated from God, and without hope in the world. That is how every person begins life in this world. When God created the world, He created light and everything else by the word of His mouth (Psalm 33:6). God declared His creation very good, including Adam and Eve. Then, sin entered into the world the moment Adam disobeyed God. Adam’s tragic choice brought darkness, despair, and death to every person born of a woman. Every person comes into this life spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and corrupted in every part of his human makeup (Ephesians 2:2-3). The understanding of every sinner is darkened to the point that the unsaved person is not even aware that he is lost.
There is a way out of the darkness of this fallen world. It is the way of life. Jesus claimed that He was the light that saves men from the power of darkness and from the wrath of God. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). When God shines the gospel light into a spiritually dead heart, the truth applied by the Holy Spirit changes the heart from stone hard and resistant to pliable and receptive. The sinner who once sat in darkness has been called out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light (2 Peter 2:9). The darkened understanding now sees Jesus and believes that He is the Redeemer and the resurrected Lord. The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). The devil keeps the multitudes blind to the light they need. Most people perish without ever seeing the light of salvation. But God has a people who see the light and believe in Jesus for salvation. We are unique and highly favored because God shined the light of the gospel into our hearts and minds. God was not obligated to reveal Christ to us but because of His great love for us, He gave us eyes to see and ears to hear that Jesus died and resurrected for us. This is such an amazing reality that the Apostle John exclaimed, “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1).
If you have seen the light, give glory to God for His choice of you and for the gift of eternal life you have. Keep reading and studying God’s Word because it is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). The more light you have, the more you will draw closer to Jesus and the more your light will shine among men and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dennis
