John 8:12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the sun! Brother, I was almost blinded earlier on when I peeked through my window blinds and saw bright sunshine! Imagine that nuh! After two weeks of nothing but dark, damp, wet, cloudy weather with a li’l snow thrown in for good measure, Father Sun has finally condescended to grace us with His presence. In my entire life, I’ve never gone two weeks with out seeing the sun, not even an occasional touch of it peeking through the clouds. But as the ole people would say, after one time is two, and what ain’t reach you ain’t pass you. (smile)
And it’s surely been an interesting though somewhat discombobulating experience when all through Christmas and New Year’s it’s only dark, damp, wet and cloudy weather. At least we had a somewhat white New Years…but even then the sun was noticeably absent, for usually when you get a new snowfall, the sun comes out bright and shiny the next day, even if it’s cold. So, the moral of the story is that we never know what we have until we lose it. We have always taken sunshine for granted, but I guess now we know better, and will appreciate it even more when we receive it. End of monologue! (smile)
Now that’s why I have to warn us of the importance of having Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, for it’s only with His comfort and perseverance that we can make it through such uncomfortable times. He is the ONLY ONE who can, and will guide us with a LOVING hand through the auspices of His Holy Spirit which indwells us. Satan won’t do it. In fact he’ll be glad, jumping for joy when we go through those periods of darkness, both literally and figuratively, because he is the prince of darkness and that’s all he wants us to experience, not the bright light that’s Jesus.
Remember the opening words of John’s gospel? ‘In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.’ (John 1:1-5) Yes friends, Jesus brought light to the children of men, who, unfortunately, did not understand or accept it.
Even when He personally declared (yesss!!!) to those around Him: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) They still did not believe Him, and the Pharisees even disputed His authority, because He witnessed to Himself. But who else was going to witness for Jesus in this dark and sinful world eh? Nobody! Not until some of us saw His miraculous works and believed that He was indeed the light of the world.
And what does Jesus being the light of the world really mean? This commentary puts it quite nicely and concisely. (smile) ‘We can’t see our future, direction, or destination, but Jesus can. Like the lighthouse guided the ship, Jesus directs us toward God’s light. The light of Christ guides us through the darkness of sin, life, and struggle both spiritually and literally.’ And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Without the guiding light of Christ we cannot make it successfully through this evil and sinful world!
And sadly, those who don’t believe that Jesus is the light of the world and adhere to His desires and dictates will only find themselves living marginalized lives down here on earth and eventually being eternally separated from God when this life is over. I truly don’t know why we keep on listening to Satan and believing all his lies, for just like he deceived our forefathers Adam and Eve in the Garden eon’s ago, that’s still his heartfelt purpose to this day. He’s only using us as bait, trying to get revenge against God for kicking him out of heaven when he tried to overthrow Him, and takes great pleasure when we rebel against God.
But please listen to Jesus on the subject of Satan’s vengeful desires. ‘The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.’ (John 10:10-11) Yes friends, Christ showed His sincerity by sacrificing His sinless life for us on the cross of Calvary, so that we could have the option of eternal life. But Satan is nothing but a liar and a cheat, with nothing but destruction on his mind, while Jesus is about bringing life and light to all!
Now which one would you rather serve eh? The deceiver and the destroyer, or the Giver of life and light? Wisdom would dictate that you serve the latter, Jesus Christ, because He’s the One who appears to LOVE and cherish those who follow Him, and even more importantly has the power of eternal life in His resurrected body. As he said to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, when she was admonishing Him for not coming sooner to save her brother. ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live. And whoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (John 11:25-26)
Oh friends, that’s a very good question, and one which we should also ask ourselves at this present time, and for our sakes, sincerely fashion an answer that resembles Martha’s. ‘She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’ (John 11:27) And with those fateful and faithful words ringing in our ears, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Thursday Blessings, activating undeserved blessing generously bestowed on us by God to do his earthly work.
As one voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having activated those blessings, it’s our duty now to go out and use them, just as generously, to help others come to the light and life of Christ! Much LOVE!
…darkness tries to hide from light…but it can’t…for light pierces darkness right to its very core and exposes its evil soul…
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