Lovers of Darkness

Lovers of Darkness

People are judged by this fact: The Light (goodness) has come
into the world. But people did not want light. They wanted
darkness (sin). Why? Because they were doing evil things.
~John 3:19 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
Some folks don't just reject Jesus; they hate God, Christianity,
religion, Christians, and anything that smacks of wholesome living.
Evil is real and controls the lives of those who give it safe harbor.
Evil recoils from truth. Too often, people not fully controlled by evil
end up rejecting the truth of God for a simple reason: they love how
they are living and don't want to give it up. They are well on their
way to being lovers of darkness.

Have you ever seen a well - lit bar room? The bar room is dark, for the lovers of darkness would not enjoy themselves in a well - lit setting. There is much demon activity within a bar room. One is the spirit of lust, another is the spirit of destruction.

Don't let the opposition of evil, or of the Evil One, dull your spiritual senses to God's gracious and liberating truth. If you find yourself flirting with sin and evil, use the Joseph solution -- get up and flee! When evil is allowed a place to
grow, it will ultimately lead us to flee the light like cockroaches scurrying for cover when the light comes on. Let's keep our hearts set on Jesus and his righteousness.

But how shall a man that is darkness come to the light? Or how shall a sinner that loves the darkness rather than the light even will to come and to follow Him? Yet, this is exactly the distortion of the gospel that is proclaimed by many in our day. The darkness according to them, must come to the Light, in order that the darkness may be dispelled. Christ, the Light of the world, is exhibited by some preacher to men that are in darkness. And He is willing to enlighten them with the light of life, if they will only let the light shine in their hearts. But if they are unwilling the Light of the world cannot penetrate to dispel their darkness. And so they preach a mighty darkness and a powerless Light!

But thanks be to God, the Light of the world does not shine by the grace and good will of the darkness; it is sovereign. It is not dependent on the will of the sinner; it is irresistible. It is not contingent upon the begging and pleading and contortions of a modern hawker of Jesus, but sends it’s piercing and illuminating rays whithersoever it wills. The darkness does not come to the light, but the Light shines into the darkness through the Spirit of grace, exposes the darkness, convicts of sin, draws into the light life. And then the sinner comes and follows. Nor does he ever finally return to the darkness. Forever the Light continues to shine and to draw him on, until at last he enters



TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and righteous Father, keep my heart tuned to your Son's grace,
love, and righteousness. Make me hunger and thirst for your
righteousness. Kindle my desire to seek first your Kingdom and your
righteousness. Give me a holy passion to live in your light. In Jesus'
holy and mighty name I pray. Amen.