Light That Is Darkness~

"True hearing of absolute (pure) TRUTH does not exist apart from the Word of God.  Romans 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."  We see and hear all sorts of things on a daily basis, and we give our time and attention to taking in much that has no real worth in the Light of Eternity.

Whatever I think I know as "Truth", if I am not IN the Word of God on a regular basis and the Word of God is not alive IN me (within the context of an active, interactive, present relationship with the Living God), then whatever Truth or "light" that I think I have (or espouse to others) will be greatly compromised.  In fact, that 'light' can be said to actually be.......darkness.

Luke 11:35  "Be careful therefore that the light that is in you is not darkness."

It all depends on where we are placing our EYES (both physical and spiritual, the eyes of our hearts).   And why.  WHY??  

For "your eye is the lamp of the body; when your eye (your conscience) is sound and fulfilling its office, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound and is not fulfilling its office, your body is full of darkness."  (Luke 11:34)

Did you get that?  The physical eyes are the gates through which information enters into our inner being.....so if we are looking, gazing or focusing on something, but the eyes of our heart (our conscience, our motives, our intents) are askew, then even if we gaze at the right thing (the Word of God) if our motives are impure, then what we think we have as light can actually be darkness.  Think about it.

We can actually be 'doing all the right things' (seemingly, outwardly), and be in complete darkness, or disobedience to God.....if what we are doing is not flowing out of a pure heart relationship with Him and grounded in what He is speaking to our hearts, by His Spirit, through the Word, and in relationship / communion with Him.

God had to separate the light from the darkness a long time ago.  (Genesis 1:4 & 2 Corinthians 4:6)  What does that tell us?   The fact that there is a light that can actually be darkness, should give us cause for deep concern!  Man looks on the outward, and it is often the outward display that we are preoccupied with regarding ourselves and others.  We want to appear a certain way, or we judge others who 'appear' to us a certain way.   Often, we are merely judging others according to our own sin!!  Ah, but that's a rabbit trail..........O_o  Albeit a good one.

But this morning, I am struck by this relationship between light and darkness, and the unsettling reality that there is a light that can be in us that we think is true light, but may in fact be darkness.  SELAH.

Ah, but there is hope!  And it is for each and every person, no matter who you are, or what your status in life is.

It all begins and goes back to the foundation of a relationship with God.  That has to be in place first!

"Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God."  (John 3:3)!

Once a person is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, Who is the ONLY Way, Truth and Life(John 14:16)), a whole new journey begins.   From faith to faith and from glory to glory (Romans 1:17 & 2 Corinthians 3:16-18), we are then in a position to grow towards the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ! (Ephesians 4:13)  Asking, seeking, knocking and persevering in following on to know the Lord is our ongoing privilege in this age as we prepare for our future Hope and inheritance in the ages to come with Him. (Matthew 7:7, Hosea 6:3, Jeremiah 29:11,  Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:7).    It is THIS JOY that was set before Jesus and gave Him strength to endure His Cross.  So it is true for us as we deny ourselves, take up our crosses in this life, and FOLLOW HIM!  (Hebrews 12:2, Mark 8:34-35).

We can be assured that HIS LIGHT will be in us!  For Christ IS the Light that has come into the world!

Listen to these words about Jesus:

"There it was-the True Light (was then) coming into the world (the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light) that illumines every person."  (John 1:9)

And Jesus makes it very clear that through relationship with Him, we have access to the Father, and the very Spirit of the Triune God comes to live and dwell in us........."But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.  All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you."  (John 16:13-15)

God has given us everything we need to walk in the Light as He is in the Light!  (I John 1:7)

And, He has given us all we need to be prepared for the future, whether it be what lies on the horizon directly in front of us in this age, or His Kingdom in the age and ages to come.

So,  today, let's ask ourselves.......where is our gaze?  Where are we placing our eyes?  And what is the heart intent?  And what are we doing???  How are we living in LIGHT of His TRUTH?  Do we KNOW Him?  Are we pressing in to know Christ, Who was (is) the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form.  Oh my what a privilege we have been given, to have such an opportunity  offered to us!  What a price Jesus paid to open the Way for all who would come to Him!

Jesus will one day say these words:

"Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?  And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you;  depart from me, you who act wickedly (disregarding My commands)."  (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Those are words I do NOT want to hear.  That fact that it is possible to call Him Lord, and do much in His name, without truly knowing Him......scares the hell out of me.  And it should~

"If then your entire body is illuminated, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright (with light), as when a lamp with its bright rays gives you light."  (Luke 11:36)

Let not the light that is in me be darkness.  Selah~