Light Seekers
What does it mean to live in the light?
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. - John 3:19
John makes a very strong statement about living in the light. He tells us that those who believe in Jesus are not condemned, while those who reject him are doomed to live in darkness because their deeds are evil.
When I read that statement, I get the impression that I can do no evil if I believe. Is that true?
Surely there have been many who claim to believe and yet have performed heinous acts, some even in the name of Christ, so these people could not claim to be living in the light.
So what is John telling us about our lives?
I believe John wants us to take a close look at the type of life we lead, examining our deeds and their motives.
Why did you do what you did? Was it to help me or to make you feel better about yourself?
So much of what I read and hear today seems to be the latter. It is as if we are plagued by judgments from those who feel they know the truth, seeking to drag those they feel are in the dark into the light.
I believe the devil is having a field day. He has managed to convince all of us that we are right and everyone who doesn't think like us or believe what we believe is wrong.
It is a battle over light and darkness, and darkness is winning by keep us blind to the light.
If we really want to bring all things into the light, don't we have to be open to hearing and seeing things we don't particularly like, and accept those who believe them as just like us?
That's the problem, isn't it? We can't do that.
So, who is condemned to darkness here? Those who are open to welcome the one who thinks differently, or the one who refuses to see and hear what he doesn't like?
If we keep going down this path, we will all condemn each other and the light will fade.
So, my prayer for this Lent is a simple one. Help us Lord to come together in the light of reason and love so that we can accept each other as brothers and sisters in You. Keep us in your light.
Amen.
More to come...