The night the lights went out

August 22, 2007 Matthew Keedy Clifton Devotionals

As so often happens, my young son awoke during the night crying. Bleary-eyed, I forced myself from the comfortable bed and staggered to his room, scooped him up and headed to the living room on the other side of the house. We sat in the rocking chair a while to calm him, and, neither of us fully awake anyway, we fell soundly asleep.

Some time later, I awoke hearing a scream from the other end of the house. It was one of my daughters, and I had no idea what was happening. I jumped from my seat, son on shoulder, and found to my surprise that it was pitch dark. Now, I don’t mean it was simply “dark,” as one might normally find in a residence during the night. I mean it was so dark, I could not see which way to walk! Apparently the power was out. There were no lights outside, either, and it was a “new moon.” I had never seen it so dark in a house in my entire life.

Barely awake, and absolutely sure I had gone blind, I yelled to my wife and children, who obviously were in the same predicament. There I was, unable to move well, with an 18-month-old on my shoulder. I was nearly powerless to help anyone in that moment of utter darkness, even though they were just on the other side of the house.

This event came to mind a couple of weeks ago as we began our study of the gospel of John. In the opening verses of chapter one, John says that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (v. 1-2). He goes on to say that in Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (v. 4-5).

In this first chapter, John shows the contrast between the goodness and holiness of Jesus, God in the flesh, as contrasted with the darkness of the world. There was no light, and no life, in this world before Jesus came onto the scene. The majority of the world rejected the light, even though all things, including the world, were made through Him (v. 3,10). Later John reports that Jesus says that men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). Everyone that practices evil hates this light, because he or she does not want their deeds to be exposed (v. 20). But those who love truth come to the light (v. 21).

As I thought about these passages, the state of the world became clear. The world is a dark place. On a daily basis, many reject the light, because they love their evil deeds, and do not want to change. Throughout our society, evil is being called good, and good is being called evil (Isa. 5:20). Lying is an “acceptable practice” at times in the business world, even though God says liars will not find a place in heaven (Rev. 21:8). “Fudging numbers” to reduce taxes gets off with a wink from citizens, though Jesus said to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21). Homosexuality is being called “natural” even though the Bible says it is unnatural, Rom. 1:26-27, and Christians are in essence being called “evil” because they oppose the practice of homosexuality. The list could go on and on.

When we think about the enveloping darkness of our world and society, it is surprising to see so many who claim to be “good.” There are many well-intentioned souls out there who desire to help someone. They have enough of a spark of morality within them to try to help their friends and neighbors from time to time. However, when one is in darkness, can one truly help another? Can someone in darkness help another who is in darkness to find the light?

Jesus said if the blind lead the blind, they will both end up in the ditch (Matt. 15:14). If one is unsaved and living in darkness, one must seek Christ! He alone is the light, and is the only source of eternal salvation (Acts 4:12). Listen to His word of truth! Jesus said that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Doesn’t that passage have so much more impact when we realize that the world that God loved is one that was plunged into darkness by man’s sin? Jesus said, though, that if you believe on Him (John 8:24), repent of those deeds of darkness (Luke 13:3,5), confess Him publicly (Matt. 10:32-33) and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16) you will be saved! From that point, you will begin your walk in the light with Christ (1 John 1:7).

On that night the lights went out in my hometown, as I stood there around 2 a.m. in the total darkness, I knew I had to find a source of light before I could be of any help to others. We needed a flashlight, a cell phone, anything to shed a little light on the dangerous darkness all around us, so that we could walk safely. Likewise, when one is trapped in spiritual darkness, one must look for the light of Christ first, and then seek to help others to that light (Mark 5:19).

Are you living in the light of Christ? If you have questions about matters of salvation as described in the Bible, feel free to Contact Us. We are always open to questions! May God bless you as you seek His will.