In a fog?

One morning last week our city was shrouded in a dense fog. We don’t live on the coast; fog is rare. At times, visibility was zero. I had an appointment about twenty minutes from our home. Most of the drive I could see only about 5-6 car lengths. Buildings were hidden. I felt as if I were on another planet. Most drivers turned on their bright lights which helped. Even then, I was cautious and a bit fearful. Fog is the same as darkness because I could not see where I was going.

The Bible says nothing about fog but mentions darkness more than one hundred and seventy times. Most of those references use darkness as a metaphor for being in a fog concerning God and His holiness. Sin puts us there and only the Light of the world can expose our sin and lead us into the knowledge of the Lord giving us His righteousness. Light and darkness are interesting metaphors because darkness cannot snuff out light. As soon as it moves into it, it is overcome. However, even a tiny candle can invade darkness.

I’m thinking of the power of light as I read the verses in John’s Gospel that use it as a strong metaphor.

In him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4–5)

The life of Christ is light that exposes and overcomes the darkness of sin. When He turns on that light revealing who He is and what He has done, darkness must flee. John knew it . . .

(John the Baptist) came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. (John 1:7–8)

This other John was not the Messiah but he pointed the people to the Messiah that they might believe. He also set an example for me. I am not Jesus nor the light of the world, but I can point people to Him that they might have light in their lives.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. (John 1:9–10)

This is the message of the Scriptures: Jesus is light from God for everyone. He created the world yet the world did not personally know Him. People know about Him just as I know about many people yet have no personal relationship with them. Knowing Him personally is key to being in His light.

He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. (John 5:35)

Even though the people didn’t personally know Jesus, for a while they loved what He said and did. His words were ‘wise’ and His deeds blessed them and often filled their bellies, but this is not what His light is for.

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)

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:9–10)

Jesus explains that He will bring them out of their fog about God and out of the darkness of sin.

Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. (John 12:35-36)

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)

They didn’t get it even though Jesus explained the reason for their fog and that they would be judged . . .

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. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:19–21)

People love darkness. They don’t want to see God because He exposes their sin. Light also exposes the power that enables people who do what is true — they are doing it by the power of God. Light exposes sin, all my excuses and my pride. Any good that I do is from God, not from me.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You use light to reveal my selfishness, my efforts to go my own way and resist You. But would I rather be meandering in the dark? I don’t think so. Seeing reality is often painful and shameful, but it is better than the limited view in a fog and far better than being in darkness with no view at all.

The Light in my life

People with Seasonal Affected Disorder will not enjoy today. The skies are dull as they gently drizzle the first spring rain. Dry and dusty streets perk up and the yard eagerly drinks, but I’m turning on lights that would not be needed on normal days. 

SAD has never bothered me, but even if it did, there is another kind of darkness that is much worse, but a darkness from which I have also been delivered. This darkness is spiritual, a darkness describing as the condition of those who do not know or walk with Jesus Christ who declared Himself the Light of the world.

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) I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)

I didn’t get out of this darkness myself, but I do remember the day it happened. I was sitting in my living room reading a book. This book had a verse from the Bible in it, and as I read that verse, the room seemed to be filled with light. At that moment, Jesus Christ came into my life. I know this is not the way everyone becomes a Christian, but for me, being turned from darkness to light was a vivid experience.

(God) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13) 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. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

At that moment, Christ delivered me from “darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” and I received “forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith” in Christ. (Acts 26:17–18) This powerful event showed me the reality of God’s power. Even as a candle in a dark room forces darkness to dissipate, the light of God drives the darkness of sin from the human heart. As John wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) For me, this light changed my life forever.

Now, as a believer in Jesus Christ, I am responsible to walk in the light God has given me. Scripture associates lies from Satan and any sin in response to those lies as “the works of darkness” and tells me to not go there. Instead I am to expose all darkness with His light.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:6–14)

I cannot be in right relationship to God and at the same time walk in darkness. However, since He has given me the Light of life in Jesus Christ, I am no longer overcome by darkness. What an amazing wonder that Jesus shines on me! This is a powerful truth, one that others need to hear.

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. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5–7)

Just as SAD makes some people sad and depressed, darkness also robs people of joy and the freedom they could know by having light in their lives. This light is available, not by trying to turn it on ourselves, but by receiving it from God as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ, a gift God is eager to give to anyone who desires it.

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Lord, what joy You give to those who are in Your Light. Even on dull and dreary days or even in the midst of trials and struggles, You shine in my heart and give me glimpses of Your glory. That is all I need to remain joyful, no matter what might be going on in my world. Thank You. Thank You also for the rain and the promise that green grass, tulips, leaf buds and other new growth will soon follow.