Come to the Light

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

John 1:12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, the gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. He is a light that no darkness can overcome. Jesus shines a light so bright and glorious, that those who believe live and relish in it. The light of Jesus is not glaring nor harsh. It is a warm glow of life. This is what Jesus brought to the world; to you and I especially who believe.

This is the reality of the Reformation. This is what was re-discovered through Martin Luther's study of Scripture.

The world at that time was scrambling around in the darkness of sin. The Church was struggling with a incomplete knowledge of God and what God did. The Church proclaimed that God was angry, vengeful, arbitrary, and that people were all going to hell if they didn't shape up and do what they were supposed to do. The Church did not know all of who God is and what God came to do. There was a lot of superstitions about God. There were a lot of half truths about God that people thought were totally true. Does that not sound familiar?

The world now is no different then the world back then. People now scramble around in the darkness of sin. The Church still struggles with an incomplete knowledge of God and what He did, and continues to do. People still hear that God is so angry that He is just waiting to zap you to hell if you don't get your life together. There is still superstitions, half truths, and innuendos about God that people think are true.

So here is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God. God is angry at our sin. God punishes those to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Him. At the same time, God shows mercy and compassion and forgiveness to thousands of generations of those who love Him. Jesus, the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended in heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from where He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

When we believe and put our faith and trust in God because of what Jesus did, Jesus judges us not guilty of sin. When we believe in Jesus, we are re-born and re-made by God Himself. We have a new life. We live in His light. Dear God, lead us more fully to believe in You and live in Your light, Amen.