Sunlight at high noon on a cloudless day is very bright – natural light! In that light, the shadows melt away, vision is as unlimited as humanly possible by the naked eye. In that light, a person can walk confidently not having to worry about tripping or running into obstacles. Whatever tasks one has can be readily accomplished. Small detail is visible. All seems clear, inviting and invigorating!

In the middle of the desert during a new moon on an overcast night, it is very dark! There are no shadows as all is a shadow. Vision is highly limited – you may not be able to see your hand in front of your face. You would not be able to walk with confidence due to a fear of tripping or running into something! The only task you could hope to accomplish is to wait for the light of day. It would be a fearful and subduing time not knowing what might be lurking about seeking to eat, or nibble on, you!

That is the contrast from a material perspective. From a spiritual perspective, people are less aware of their dilemma. Scripture tells us that GOD is light, that He is everywhere, and that His law is a lamp unto our feet. If we ignore His law, then we are walking in darkness. Mankind, unless changed by the HOLY SPIRIT working in his heart, cannot distinguish the spiritual aspect of light and dark. The unbelieving man is most comfortable in the dark. Indeed, go to a lounge for a drink and a social atmosphere, and you will find the lighting very soft and comfortable – often times too dark to read a menu. It opens the doors for easy talk and living. That is by design and not by chance. Can a believer go to a lounge? More than likely they can, but it will not be a place of great spiritual comfort, or one in which that believer will want to spend much time. On the other hand, there are unbelievers who will spend hours daily in a lounge or bar. One of television’s most popular situation comedies revolved around a bunch of bar flies.

Unbelievers frequently (not always) go to lounges and bars to initiate illicit relationships for sexual pleasure – adultery, fornication and prostitution, drug connections, to drown their sorrow – escapism, to connect with people for other indulgences like gambling, orgies, pedophile sources, criminal activity etc. Sometimes they may go just to see what happens – with an open mind to the results. Their activity and conversation are not as scrutinized as they would be if they were at church or with family or believing friends. Who says and does what when a group of people have had several drinks is not as easily remembered. Scripture cautions us to choose our friends wisely.

Walking in the light brings spiritual joy, even in suffering! Walking in the dark brings spiritual misery – even in prosperity! GOD created man in His image. GOD is a spirit, and therefore, man is a spiritual being. Early in the Creation, man chose sin over righteousness and obedience to GOD’s law. That is known as the “fall”! Since then the whole of Creation has fallen along with man and the suffering has been immense and constant.

Because of the fall, GOD promised a Savior to restore mankind. That promise was refreshed many times to many of GOD’s “chosen” people – Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and so on. That Savior was made manifest thousands of years later in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, Who was fully GOD and fully Man, was born under the law but through supernatural means. He lived a sinless life which means He fulfilled the command GOD gave Adam and Eve. He then became a blood sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind from the Garden of Eden until His return to this world when He comes to judge mankind. He was raised from the dead – conquering death as evidence of the power of GOD! (And, much to the dismay of those who had Him executed – imagine executing someone twice for the same crime!)

Much to the chagrin of the unbeliever, and even some “professing” believers, all He requires for the forgiveness of sin and fulfillment of the promise of “Paradise” is that a person repent (change your ways to GOD’s ways with a sincere heart) and to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. That’s all! The difficulty lay in the fact that we cannot do that on our own! It requires the work of the HOLY SPIRIT to change the heart!

GOD is one GOD in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; known as the Triune GOD co-equal in power, glory and substance. That is not something anyone can understand, but one must accept it on faith. We are told in Scripture that faith is a gift of GOD. The bottom line is that it is all of GOD and none of us. He made us, and not we ourselves.

Those who live in darkness make absurd statements like “He recreated himself!” That is usually in reference to some Hollywood icon. It’s nonsense, but then unbelief is nonsense, so what can you expect. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. As a result, we have the repetition of massive divorce, murder, rape, stealing, suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism and so on. It could be said that the world is an insane asylum and the inmates are in charge. If, as Christ calls you to be, and the HOLY SPIRIT changes you to be, you are “born again”, then all of the above sins will ultimately lose their appeal. When this writer was born again, he, by GOD’s grace, shed many of his sins immediately without even thinking about it! Does that mean that you won’t have problems, or you won’t be plagued with sin? Certainly not! On the other hand, how you handle those problems and sins will be much different.

Romans 5:3-5 says that “We glory in tribulations; knowing tribulations work experience, and experience works patience, and patience works hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of GOD is shed upon our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT which is given to us! In other words, suffering is a part of life, but when born again, it is a part of life we can take joy in because it is helping us to grow in our sanctification (becoming Holy). GOD says to be Holy as I am Holy! When we suffer under these circumstance, we don’t go to alcohol, drugs or other sins, but instead, we go to GOD in prayer and supplication seeking His face and His mercy! That’s what He wants us to do and what He tells us to do!

So, allow this writer to please admonish and exhort you to walk in the light if you are not already doing so. Walking in the spiritual darkness will only lead to disappointment and discomfort, and if you do not repent, you will spend eternity separated from GOD in a place He has designated. That place is commonly called Hell, and it is described as being dark, filled with weeping and gnashing of teeth, with terror and thirst and flames licking at you – and, NO your friends will not be there with you to enjoy it! The alternative is repenting and going to Heaven where there is no darkness, all tears are wiped away, and the joy is immeasurable, and He has prepared a mansion for you there where the streets are lined with gold. He says we cannot even imagine what Heaven is like. Which sounds better – especially when you are talking about eternity? We are told that man is appointed to die once and then the judgment. Don’t plan on any second chances!

Pensiamento Peligroso