2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1391
Glory: the unspoken manifestation of God; renown, honor; divine quality, splendor
From the Greek word 'doxa' (pronounced dox'-ah): God's infinite, intrinsic worth (substance, essence).
LIGHT SHINES OUT OF DARKNESS
Genesis 1:3, 4
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.
Now this was only the first day of creation that God made light. On the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14-19) God created reference points of light: sun, moon and stars.
Our hearts are dark with sin, for we are born with a sinful nature. Blame it on Adam and Eve. Being the first people from whom all peoples are descended, the consequences of the sins they committed (doubting God's Word and then disobeying it) is passed on to each and every one of us.
When we are young, one of the first words we learn is "No." And when we are told not to do something, our first instinct is to go and do that which we are not supposed to do. We also do not do that which we are told to do. "Go clean your room." Who did that right away? We learned obedience because disobedience has consequences. We needed a Savior so God sent One.
Acts 26:17, 18
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
LIGHT REVEALS DARKNESS
John 1:5
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
How can so many people who live in the darkness not see the darkness for what it is? Because they have not seen the Light, for then the Light would reveal the darkness. In the darkest of nights it is impossible to see anything, even your hand in front of your face. We need some kind of light to show us where to walk that we would not stumble and fall. As it is in life, so is it in the spirit and the spirit realm: the unseen invisible place in our bodies.
But what if you've seen the Light and then turned your back on it, turned a blind eye to the Light? They've seen the Light and decided not to have anything to do with it, with Christ.
John 3:18-20
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
Jesus told His disciples that even though He Himself is the Light (John 1:4; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46) of the world, soon He would be leaving the world (John 12:35) and they would be the light that shines (Matthew 6:14-16; John 12:36).
We who shine as lights in the world are able to do so because we have seen a great Light shining in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2). And this Light is the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:2). We believe in the Name of the only begotten Son of God and grab hold of the salvation He provides to they who see by faith and believe that He is Savior.
This Light is the gospel of God, the gospel of salvation through repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:47). We are to repent and be baptized into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38).
LIGHT SHINE BRIGHT
It is heartbreaking to see people who have seen the Light walk away from the Light. Though we may wonder if they have truly seen the Light for Who He is, we cannot leave them in the darkness of their unbelief. We must intercede on their behalves, praying and praying for they who live in the darkness to see the glory of the Light of Salvation in Jesus' face. Chains need to be broken, bonds (cords, ropes) need to fall off.
We who have the Light of the gospel are compelled to share this gospel. We want they who have not seen the Light to see Jesus, to believe in Jesus. We have a strong desire to see souls saved: to rejoice in their salvation through repentance (turning away from sin to obedience). We delight in their baptisms, both water and spirit. We encourage these new believers and each other in the Word, speaking it, praying it, living it: answering Jesus' call to "Follow Me." (Matthew 4:19, 20).
Even now, while we are in the world, we remind you who hear us that we are not of this world (John 18:36). Because our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) we cannot see our permanent dwelling yet, but Jesus is preparing one for us where He is, for He has said, "I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2, 3).
I'm letting my light shine when I speak Jesus to you who hear what I say. I needed a Savior. I turned my face to the Light and the glory of God filled my heart. He is the Light that shines in the darkness of my heart. Jesus is the Light which grows and glows within me, shining out of me into the darkness around me. I speak Jesus. I speak with words of Love, having the Love of God living me in His Son Jesus Christ.
For it is truly Love to obey the commands of God to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." I don't have to travel far for the darkness of this world is right here in my own backyard. I speak Jesus into my family, into my neighborhood, into my community, into my town, into my church. I speak repentance, forgiveness, and being baptized into His Name. I speak refreshing and rejoicing
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And the one hearing, let him say, "Come!" And the one thirsting let him come; the one desiring, let him take freely the water of life.
LIGHT SHINES IN THE HEART
Dear God,
Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and let me live in Yours. Wash me clean of all unrighteousness. Make me pure and holy that I might live in Your presence all the days of my life. For I have been an unwilling partner of sin and desire only the goodness of God in You. Shine Your Light in me and remove the darkness from my heart.
Give me Your peace, Your strength, to walk in this new life You have given me. In You I place my hope. Lead me in Your Word, guiding my steps and guarding my life. Help me to guard my heart and my tongue, that I may not cause another to slip and fall.
Thank You for saving me, for taking my sins upon Yourself and dying in my place that I might live forever in You. Thank You Lord Jesus. I praise You and adore You.
Amen.
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