Light Verses Darkness – Ephesians 5:9
For the fruit of the Light consistsin all goodness and righteousness and truth
Should you grow fainthearted, should doubts assail you and your intellect challenge you, the light of Jesus Christ remains brilliant, perfect, and pure. Should you question your faith and wonder if the message of reconciliation, salvation, and transformation is true, should it seem intellectually indefensible,[1] remember the joy of your salvation as Jesus’ glory shone down healing rays from heaven, powerful and true in the Holy Spirit, to illuminate your path.[2] Should darkness encroach upon you, refuse to give doubt a victory, rather bring your questions before the Lord. Expect Him to answer the pleas of your seeking heart and willing spirit; allow Him to lead you toward goodness, purity, and holiness; and look upward. Rejoice and be warmed by the streaming, healing sunbeams carrying love, mercy, and grace, for beautiful is the light that darkness cannot overcome.[3]
Abide with Jesus in the light, turning away from the dreary place where the enemy and those he attracts gather in the cold, and our Lord will show you how beautiful is the light.[4] He will free you to love, not hate,[5] to forgive rather than demanding revenge,[6] and He will enable you to understand that freedom is more desirable than the torment of hatred and vengeance. Devote yourself to Jesus, and put on His holiness. Walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and you will need no scales to know the surpassing value of the fruit of the Spirit over the rancid trademarks of self-centeredness, that is, immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, and carousing.[7]
Pursue the Light, and the Light will not disappoint you, for as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you, teaching your heart, mind, and soul that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He will be your faithful friend and loving champion throughout eternity.
Is your faith weak? Seek the Light. Seek Him with a heart willing to receive the
truth, and He will dissipate your doubts and fears, breathing a stronger
awareness of Himself into your soul.
Call upon Him, persevering in hope, and you will find Him, for He is
faithful to reward those who seek Him, bringing them into a place beside Him, a
place where they will live forever in the light.[8]
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
[2] Psalm 27:1
[3] John 1:5
[4][4] Psalm 104:1-3
[5] Luke 6:27
[6] Mark 11:25, Romans 12:19
[7] Galatians 5:19-23
[8] Isaiah 60:19
