Sending Light…
I am intrigued by real life crime documentaries like Dateline, 48 Hours, and videos of actual court proceedings. What interests me most are the suspect interrogations and courtroom testimonies. Many crimes occur almost by accident: a fit of rage, an alcoholic stupor, an accidental weapon firing — but it makes no difference. The deeds are done, and their consequences follow. “A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7b).
Some collapse in tears when their verdict is read, others fly into violent rage. They are always subdued… carried from the courtroom if necessary… but serve their sentences they do. There is no escape.
The Word of God tells us that all of mankind is under sentence… sentence of death! John writes,
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19). Darkness has its appeal to fallen flesh, but choosing it carries consequence.
Saul of Tarsus was one who chose darkness, but the light of Truth met him in undeniable fashion. He fell to the ground too (Acts 9:4). Oswald Chambers notes: “There can be no real disobedience, nor any moral virtue in obedience, unless a person recognizes the higher authority of the one giving the orders.” That day the light taught Paul Whom his higher authority was.
When anyone knows the Truth he is accountable for what he does with it – and the more one knows, the more one is accountable. Luke records,
“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
(Luke 12:48). And James warns,
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1).
Are you a believer? If so, “You are the Light of the world,” Jesus said (Matt. 5:14). This is why we send missionaries. And to shine this light is the responsibility of every Christian as an “Ambassador” (2 Cor. 5:20) of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have seen some trials where the verdict of murder is given because a defendant took no action to prevent the otherwise imminent death of the victim. This truth is sobering.
Are you not yet a believer? Have you yet learned the Higher Authority of Christ? Chalmers comments,
“’Woe is me’ if after seeing Him I still will not obey… When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say, ‘I will not obey,’ He will never insist. But when I do this, I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It makes no difference to God’s grace what an abomination I am, if I will only come to the light. But ‘Woe is me’ if I refuse the light.”
Send the light… Be the light… Obey the light…
More tomorrow…
To hear Don Longworth’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
thebrokenrunner 