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.

Getting to know Jesus

When I first became a Christian, someone told me to read the Gospel of John five times, and the book of Romans twice. I don’t remember who it was, but this was solid advice. Romans explains the major doctrinal truths and how to live them out. John explains who Jesus is and the results of believing in Him.

I can’t remember what I thought about Jesus before He came into my life, but when He did, I knew that this man was God in human flesh. I realize now that the Holy Spirit gave me that understanding and reading John gave me a biblical foundation for this understanding, helping me to know Jesus. He begins with this:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1–3)

God spoke and at His Word all creation came into existence. That Word is Jesus . . .

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

John shows this is true by the way Jesus talked and lived. This was no mere man, no mere prophet. He said “I AM . . . .” several times, echoing the I AM declared by God the Father when He spoke to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus finished the declaration in seven different ways. With these sayings, He declares His deity. No mere man can say what He said:

1. “I am the bread of life and whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (6:35) The world is filled with people looking for fulfillment in life, for something to satisfy that empty space in their hearts. Jesus does that. He grants me great contentment and joy. He gives meaning to what would have seemed meaningless without Him.

2. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (8:12; 9:5) This is incredibly true. He not only sheds light on life’s perplexities, but He guides me through its mazes, helping me know what to do next, how to find my way when there are no answers from any other sources.

3. “I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.” (10:7, 9) The seeking heart finds only temporary satisfaction in stuff like fame, possessions, popularity, or money. Eventually these become taskmasters even as they pose as the door to satisfaction. Only Jesus offers the way to God and the way to eternal joy. He said no one can come to the Father except by Him. He is the door to abundant life and that safe place of care and protection. Like a sheepfold He keeps me secure in God’s love.

4. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (10:11) Jesus did exactly that. He gave His life for my sin and because of Him God has forgiven me and gave me all that I need. This good Shepherd takes care of me in every way possible. He knows the dangers and snares as well as where to find still waters and green pastures.

5. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (11:25) Jesus is not dead. He rose from the grave and because I believe in Him, He is my life. I have been crucified with Him, yet I live! One day this body will die but He will give me a new body, totally transformed into His image. I will be like Him and live forever.

6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (14:6) Knowing Jesus means that I also know the Father. Jesus is the way to Him, the truth about Him, His very life in human form that I might know and love Him. God is spirit and invisible; Jesus makes Him known.

7. “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.” (15:1) In the language of a vineyard, Jesus explains that we are grafted into the One who says I AM and given His life. As I abide in Him, I am able to live like a child of God, holy and demonstrating that I belong to Him. If I pull away from that, He will prune the errant parts using the Word and circumstances of life to test and purify me.

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

Jesus, this I AM, like all the others, describe my experience with You. I know that You are God, first by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and second by the way You love me and deal with me just as these I AM statements say that You will. Whoever told me to read John five times did a good thing. Since then, I’ve repeated that many more times and one day, when I step into eternity, I will find John and maybe give him a huge hug of gratitude as together we worship You, the I AM who is God.

In what do I boast?

In a playground, some children will show off their athletic abilities. The same happens at the pool and during recess. Some show off their test marks in the classroom, or show off their skills, appearance, or how many friends they have on facebook. For Christians, all of this is not important.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, 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)

What is this light that Matthew is talking about? Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5) so this light is tied to the Person of Christ as well as the truth that He brought. That truth is fairly basic. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and God wants to restore us to that glory, so He sent Jesus to seek and save sinners.

The odd part is that many sinners don’t find this to be good news. They are not interested in light or salvation from sin, but want to stay the way they are.

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. (John 3:19–20)

That means that as a Christian, I can expect opposition when I “let my light shine.” However, Jesus makes it clear that this is not to hinder me nor be incentive to put it under a basket. Some will see Jesus in what I do (only when I am in obedience to Him and relying on His power) and then give glory to God.

Lest anyone think this is like boasting about anything else that God has given me, a children’s chorus has these words: “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine… don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m going to let it shine.” Being a light for Christ is a spiritual battle. Not only do other sinners resist the light and love darkness, Satan also tries to stop that light. He wanted Jesus dead and wants me to be more interested in either hiding His light or attracting attention to other stuff that is not important.

Today’s devotional reading says this with blunt clarity. To paraphrase, there is not a single principle of the Christian life that the people of the world do not at heart hate. I will always face opposition to test my character and reveal my priorities. That opposition may come from family or friends. It will hit me in public life and daily tests. It will also reveal if I have strength of devotion sufficient to still shine amidst those who despise the cross. Persecution is God’s testing ground to make the light of Christ the governing principle in all that I do.

2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – not a welcome promise, yet God allows it to verify the amazing strength of His light, the Lord Jesus Christ.