Genesis 1:3-4 – “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.“   

It’s amazing to think about how God creates.  He speaks and it is so.  This is a big part about why I want you all to see how God is sovereign over your salvation from beginning to end.  I want you to know the deep assurance and peace that comes in knowing that while your faith may waver, God is ever faithful, steadfast in His love, and His calling you out of darkness into light cannot be reversed.  Being a Christian and following after Christ is not something that you do, primarily, it is who you are.  You are a new creation in Christ, set apart by Him before the foundation of the world, born of His blood, empowered by His Spirit to walk in newness of life. 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 – “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.”

This is what it means to be saved.  God has revealed His glory in the person of Jesus Christ to us, shining the light of the gospel in our hearts, freeing us from the bondage of sin, freeing us to pursue infinite joy in relationship with Him.  That is the foundational truth of the gospel, but I know resting in that light is a battle EVERY DAY.  We are called not only to push back the darkness in our own life, but to make war on the darkness in the world around us.  That is why I write – to encourage you in the knowledge of God from His Word.  These words I write mean nothing if God does not add the increase, but my hope and trust is in Him.  We are promised from His Word in Isaiah 55:10-11 – “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”  And so I write, I plead, I encourage, I exhort, in faith that God is working amongst you, to push back the darkness in your life, and bring to light joy in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him. 

Matthew 5:14-16 – “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.”  

My exhortation is to embrace your calling with complete humility and complete boldness in the Lord.  There are those who proclaim Christ as their savior, but live in darkness and shame.  Their darkness will be with them for eternity.  We are not like them, however, but are bold in the knowledge of Christ.  We are not yet as we ought to be, but we struggle; we strive every day to push out the darkness by the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.  By faith we hold that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us to reconcile us to God.  By faith we know that we are righteous in Christ.  We share that light with others.  We see darkness, injustice and a lack of mercy in the world and we seek to right these things, to reconcile them to the person of Jesus Christ.  We help the helpless in the name of Christ.  We plead for those who cannot plead their own cause, for the cause of Christ.  We show mercy on those in need, and the merciless, so that might know the God of mercy, Jesus Christ.  We share our struggles and burdens with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.  As we are joined with Christ in His death, putting to death the deeds of our flesh which is passing away, we are joined with Christ in His rising, bringing to life the knowledge and love of God to those around us.  God has made you light and you are to be separated from the darkness, how are you living that out?  Be encouraged, each day is a new day in the Lord, how are you going to bring the light of Christ into your heart and world today?

Grace and Peace,
Adam