Absolutes in a world of gray

The expression “black and white” usually refers to a person or an opinion that sees everything as either right or wrong, with no shades of gray and no other interpretations. While this is considered “not useful” in reaching solutions, there are occasions that call for a distinct separation of two viewpoints. For instance, it is never right to abuse or torture a child. It is always wrong to steal what belongs to another.
 

In these days of “whatever is right for you might not be right for me” the idea of ethical absolutes has been tossed in favor of “each one doing what is right in his own eyes” as it was in the early days of the Old Testament (see Judges 17:6 and 21:25). As a result, our society is adrift in moral chaos. 

I tend to be a black and white person. While I see great room for opinions about art, music and other likes and dislikes, in my mind there is no place for gray when it comes to right and wrong. I also believe there is no place for personal decisions in those areas that are not black and white. The Holy Spirit might direct one person into some activity and forbid another, not because the activity is right or wrong, but that God sees and considers the needs, strengths and weaknesses of each person, and has eternal reasons for His direction. For instance, it might be okay for one to take up a hobby of making and flying model airplanes and not for another. The hobby is neutral, but God considers things like motives and possible ministry opportunities.

Besides that, from the very first verses in the Bible, God Himself is described as being black and white.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3–4)

Well-known preacher and writer, Charles Spurgeon says that no sooner did God create a good thing than He saw the necessity of a division. Light and darkness have no communion. For one thing, darkness is the absence of light and has no power over light. As John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” While he was speaking of Jesus, the principle is true regarding literal light. As soon as one candle is lit in a dark place, it is no longer dark. The two are separate by nature.

Spurgeon goes on to say that since God has divided light and darkness, we are not to confound the two when it comes to our actions and doctrines. The Bible calls us “children of the day” who must be “sober, honest, and bold in the Lord’s work, leaving all works of darkness to those who shall dwell in it forever” because they love being there.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (John 3:19)

He tells His people to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers because there is no partnership between righteousness and lawlessness and no fellowship between light and darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). God has separated the two groups literally, morally and spiritually. 

He also calls us to live in the light because He is light. We are to be like Him and live as Jesus did.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Because of Jesus, I can be black and white in both theology and in finding solutions to the problems of life. Since God is light and calls me to walk in the light He gives, then I know there are ways that are dark. Walking in them is not only disobedience, but also puts me in harm’s way. For that reason, and because God separates me from my former life of darkness, then I must also divide the light from darkness in my judgments and actions, in what I hear and teach, and even in my associations. I must discern between precious and vile, and maintain that great distinction which the Lord made upon the world’s first day.

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Father, I understand this and embrace it. As Your child, I am to be like You. While You are patient and longsuffering with those who oppose You, You never add gray to the distinctions You make between wrong and right, sin and righteousness. I am either in the flesh or in the Spirit, walking my own way or obeying You. I cannot determine these things for others since this is Your responsibility. Besides, I often cannot see the Light in my own life and need Your continual guidance. Nevertheless, You call me to be black and white when hearing and doing Your will. You know that I am easily muddled. I am also totally rejoicing that You avoid shades of gray.

Darkness vs. Light

People ask why God created evil. He didn’t. Just as darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of God. Take away His goodness and there is evil. The implication is that even though I’d like to coast along in my Christian life, I know that if  stop doing good, there is no neutral.

Spurgeon discusses these opposites in today’s reading. He sees this contrast right from the beginning in creation where God said,

“Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3–4)

Spurgeon brings out how this light/dark contrast affects people. Actually, every Christian knows them. We are well aware that if we had remained in our natural, fleshy state, we were subject to one extreme. It takes some time to realize it, but without the light of Jesus Christ, all is darkness.

Then, when Christ who is the Light of the world came into our lives, darkness had to leave, yet it does not go willingly. This becomes our major spiritual battle. Paul describes this conflict and struggle . . . 

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:21–23)

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17)

The Lord divided the light from the darkness. Had He not done that, my darkness and sin would remain and I would be largely ignorant of it. Only light can expose what I need to see. Yet when the Lord sends Light, conflict begins. Darkness resists light, even though it cannot overcome it. The Bible is clear that this conflict will never stop until I am “altogether light in the Lord.”

This struggle happens in my inner person, but there is also a struggle against another kind of darkness. That is, as soon as Jesus gave me light about my sinful spiritual condition and His saving power, this light also came into conflict with all worldly thinking and choices. No longer can I smugly offer an outward form of worship, or do “good deeds” without faith and abiding in Jesus. Nothing short of full light, full intimacy and full direction from Him will illumine the darkness in me and around me. The more light He gives, the more that the activities of society appear frivolous and in the dark. As I follow that light, I also am in contrast to the world.

This light also changed my affections toward people. I am drawn to others who know the Light, who know Jesus. The Bible even says that this love for other Christians is evidence of passing from darkness and death to light and life. Spurgeon points to Jesus who went “without the camp, bearing his reproach” and reminds me that God also bids me to come away from ungodly things and darkness. Just as Jesus is holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners, so am I to be a nonconformist to the world and shun sin.

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Lord, I cannot do this without You, not inwardly or outwardly. So many times I crash and burn, yet You promise to forgive and cleanse me. When life is confusing, You promise to shed light on my confusion. When darkness threatens the light that I have, You give greater light that I might overcome the darkness. You do this that I might be free from sin; You are my Savior. And in the saving, You make known that Your salvation is greater than anything that comes against it, even greater than the foolishness in my heart that persists in resisting You. Thank You for being my Light and my salvation, the only One who can deliver me from sin and lead me to victory.

His Light

This morning as I walked in our gated vacation community, I noticed that the light is different in the desert than in the mountains, or the prairies, or in the far north. Here, the air is clear and nearly cloudless with a light that makes me feel as if I’m floating.

When You said, “Let there be light” — there was light. And You saw that the light was good and separated it from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3–4)

You use light to describe truth and knowledge. Yet You are the epitome of light. Jesus said it many times. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

I’m trying to wrap my mind around this. You spoke light into existence, yet You are light. You saw that light was good, yet You are perfect goodness. You separated light from darkness, yet as John 1:5 says, the light shines in darkness and the darkness cannot overcome or conquer it — it being You.

Then I read another passage that tells me I have this light put inside of me. That is also mind-boggling — that a sinner could be entrusted with such a treasure!

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:6–7)

I try to imagine the pure daylight on this morning’s walk being bundled up inside a clay jar. The movie makers could produce special effects that look as if this were possible, yet it cannot happen with physical light. However, wonder of wonders, You God can do it with spiritual light. You store it in human hearts, call it treasure, and this clay pot marvels.

Then I marvel again remembering this verse: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” and “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

You are saying those words to those who follow You. We are containers for Your light. So often I cannot wrap my mind around that. Sometimes I feel like a burned out candle or a pile of ashes with no signs of fire in me. Yet my devotional reading reminds me that even when I feel dim or even dark, God still “sees the Light.” You created it. You put it in me, Yourself in me. “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19). God sees the treasure even when I think I’ve lost it.

As I ponder these words about light, You draw my eye to the bottom line. Because I belong to you, I am to walk away from sin. Light overpowers darkness. It does not walk or mess with it. Light shines outward. In fact, I cannot imagine light even thinking about itself. With this image, one more verse comes to mind,

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14–15)

You give a simple application after all these lofty thoughts. Quit complaining. Quit doubting. You put the light in; I am to let the light out. However, I know I’m only a clay pot who has trouble finding the light switch, but You have an answer for that perplexity also: 

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. (Psalm 37:5–6)