A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (August 2, 2017)
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (John 3:20)
A few years ago, I ate at a restaurant that was recommended by a friend. It had been a long day for me with several meetings, duties, and errands so that by the time my wife and I got to the restaurant, it was near their closing time. They seated us anyway and I must say the food tasted wonderful. The atmosphere of the restaurant seemed pleasant; the lights were very low with a sprinkling of candles throughout.
While we were finishing our strawberry cheesecake dessert, the waitress came to our table and asked if it was okay if she started cleaning the restaurant. She was very polite and we were almost finished so, of course, we told her it was okay. Then something happened that changed the entire evening. The waitress turned on the lights. I could hardly believe my eyes. The floor was covered with crumbs. Grease spots were on the wall. Straw covers were stuck in the chair and the table had a dull film on it. I almost gagged. The place was filthy.
God is light. First John 1:5 says so, and then it says “…in Him is no darkness at all.” The world is living in darkness, but Jesus said that as Christians, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Not only that, but we are commanded in Ephesians 5:8 to walk as children of light.
If you were walking in the woods at night and I instructed you to walk in the light, you could only do that if you had a flashlight or a lantern with you. To walk in the light, there must be light. No matter how much you tried to see in the darkness, it would be impossible without light and the light will only shine if you have it.
Sometimes as Christians we are trying to get the world, which is in darkness, to walk in the light. It’s impossible. Our first goal must be to give them the light, to impart to them the light of God. How is that possible? Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 that we are to let our light shine before men in such a way that they would see our good works and glorify God. That’s why Christians must walk in love, honesty, character, and integrity. Even though we are in the world, we are not of the world. The world lives in darkness, but we are the children of light.
Years ago I saw a bumper sticker that said, “God cleans His fish after He catches them.” Of course, this is not scriptural and only a slogan, but there is some truth in it. Cleaning that is done in the dark is only superficial. True clean up comes after the light of the gospel has been shed in our hearts and we have been born again into the kingdom of light. Then we can walk in the light as children of light. Then God can reveal His truths to us and expose areas that need change so that we can mature and grow in the Word.
Cleaning your house at night with the lights off is futile. Only in the light of day can true clean up take place.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)
