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Light and Darkness
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“In the beginning was the Word, 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 any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:1–5
In bright, direct sunlight, a candle is almost invisible. We can barely see the flickering flame as the wick burns. However, on a truly dark night, a single candle casts a light that can be seen for up to ten miles. The difference is not in the candle, but in the conditions around it. We live in a society that is rushing headlong toward darkness. It often seems as though efforts are being made to extinguish every possible light.
This is not a surprise, for it conforms to the sinful nature of man. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Light has an exposing and limiting influence on those who would prefer for their deeds not to be known. The challenge we face is to refuse to be cowed by opposition or persecution, and instead to continue to shine brightly even if things around us become more dark.
The purpose and calling of God for us is not that our light is given to us for our benefit, but for the benefit, instruction, and even reproof of others. Jesus said, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33). We were made lights for a reason, and though the darkness may not appreciate the light, it still needs it.
John 1:1–5
In bright, direct sunlight, a candle is almost invisible. We can barely see the flickering flame as the wick burns. However, on a truly dark night, a single candle casts a light that can be seen for up to ten miles. The difference is not in the candle, but in the conditions around it. We live in a society that is rushing headlong toward darkness. It often seems as though efforts are being made to extinguish every possible light.
This is not a surprise, for it conforms to the sinful nature of man. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Light has an exposing and limiting influence on those who would prefer for their deeds not to be known. The challenge we face is to refuse to be cowed by opposition or persecution, and instead to continue to shine brightly even if things around us become more dark.
The purpose and calling of God for us is not that our light is given to us for our benefit, but for the benefit, instruction, and even reproof of others. Jesus said, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33). We were made lights for a reason, and though the darkness may not appreciate the light, it still needs it.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The darkness of the world around us makes it more important than ever that our lights shine brightly.
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