Bruce Collins, Evangelist

The personal website of Bruce Collins

The Love of Darkness

 
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (John 1:6-7 NKJV
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19 NKJV)
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV)
 
The Dark Season
We have reached the “dark” part of the year here in Iowa.  We get up in the dark and we eat supper in the dark.  I don’t much like it.  I think both my wife and I have some issues with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  I have considered buying one of those lights that are designed to make one think they are in the summer sun, but so far I have been too cheap to try one and my wife doesn’t think they will fit our exquisite decor.
 
However, I have been thinking about light and darkness in the Scripture and what they represent.  Light represents the Lord Jesus, truth, goodness and understanding.  Darkness represents Satan, confusion, lies, and a lack of understanding.  
 
Distinguishing Light vs Darkness
It would seem to be easy to distinguish between light and darkness in this life but unfortunately it isn’t.  The One who came as a light into this world was crucified by religious people who claimed to have the light.  They chose Barabbas, one who led a civil uprising and committed murder in the insurrection according to Mark 15:7.  Absalom stole the hearts of the people as he planned to usurp the throne of his father.  See 2 Samuel 15:6.  Satan sometimes transforms himself into an angel of light according to 2 Corinthians 11:14.  
 
We live in a day where people pick truth based on what they want to believe, rather than basing truth on Biblical principles or scientific fact. (And yes, good science and good Bible interpretation will always agree).  The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). A person’s words reflect the heart or motive of the person speaking,  The Lord’s words were gracious.  He never was deceitful.  He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.  That is the kind of person I want to believe. Of course, in the short-run we might be poor and rejected by the world, but in the long-run we will be in heaven.  
 
People will tell you that you are believing a lie when you think you are believing the truth.  They will tell you that you are dead wrong and that you are walking in darkness.  But the Lord is the only One whose character and life gives us confidence that He tells the truth and that He really is the only One who can deliver us from the darkness and confusion of our day.
 
Knowing for Sure
I may not know (for sure) who won the current presidential election and I may not know (for sure) whether masks help in the pandemic even though I intend to continue wearing them.   But I do know who died for my sins.  I do know who expressed his love sacrificially and none of our politicians have been willing to die for me in spite of what they say.  In fact, I don’t have a friend or a relative that would be willing to die for me. . .I doubt that they would even give me a kidney if I needed one.  But the Lord didn’t give of Himself.  He gave all,  He gave Himself for me (See Galatians 2:20).
 
I still believe the Bible is the only source of truth that will give us light and lead us out of the darkness.
 
Bruce Collins
 
Meditation for the week of November 29, 2020

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