In Thy Light We Shall See Light
The Bible is rich in metaphors and similes. Light is one of its favorite picture words. God is said to be ‘light.” Light is the most constant, and clearly observable, and all-pervasive experience in our universe.
-God’s life is the light of men (John 1:4). -God’s light is not conquered by darkness(John 1:5). -God’s light attracts those who love the truth (John 3:21). -Jesus is the “light of the world” (John 8:12).
It is remarkable how the light of the gospel can set one person’s heart a-dancing and set the other person’s teeth on edge. The two responses are as different as light and darkness. I have been in great gospel services where you felt you were in the throne room of heaven and seen other people twisting and turning like they were in the vestibule of hell.
You see it’s not just the facts; it’s how you interpret the facts. A lecture on the scientific evidences of creation, for example, or on the inspiration of the Bible will be received with great joy and understanding by some people, while the same lecture will provoke furious hostility in others.
The man born blind in John chapter 9 when he was confronted by Jesus said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshipped Him.” The rich young ruler in Matthew 22 who heard the same message from Jesus “Walked away sorrowful.” The same gospel was light to one and darkness to the other. As the old saying goes. The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. Our attitude determines our destiny.
It is like the pillar of cloud in the wilderness, which “came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night“ (Exodus 14:20). The same pillar of cloud was darkness to the Egyptians but light to Israel
This response to God’s love has not changed over the centuries. The wonderful message of the gospel yields two diametrically opposite results. “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 abides on him” (John 3:36). Christ’s gospel brings both unity and division. “Behold I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious. . . . Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient. . . . a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word“ (1 Peter 2:6-8).
We live in a world of spiritual darkness, but there is also a divine light in the midst of its shadows and that light is Christ. Let us praise Him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light
Pastor Bryant