Dear Fellow Citizens of the Kingdom,
A common theme used throughout Scripture is the
contrast of light and darkness. The light, of course, represents God in His radiance
and Truth while the darkness stands for Evil, the opposing counter-force. Have
you ever noticed it? Jesus’ disciples are called salt and light (Matt.
5:14-16). In God there is no darkness at all (I John 1:5). Those outside the Body of Christ have their minds darkened (Rom. 1:21), while those in Christ walk in the
light (I John 1:7). We are even said to belong to the Kingdom of Light which
is at war with the Kingdom of Darkness (Col. 1:13). Interesting.
Physically speaking, the two are mutually exclusive. That is to say, you cannot have both light and darkness at the same time. Light results from energy; it is energy. Light from the Sun comes to us in little packets, or quanta,
called photons. This is where we get the term quantum mechanics. If this energy is present there is no darkness. The two cannot have partnership with each other. (see II Cor. 6:14) You see it commonly when you switch on a light. The darkness
cannot stand the light and the shadows recede, waiting on the outskirts of the energized light’s realm of influence. This is much the same situation in which we find ourselves, isn’t it? We are citizens of the Kingdom of Light, but the Darkness is still there waiting for us to dim or cover
the Light so it can return.
After Cain
selfishly withheld his best from God in sacrifice he felt the pang of God’s disapproval.
God comes to Adam’s eldest in Gen. 4:6-7 to teach him. “The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry?
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do
what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.’” Can’t you see the Darkness waiting silently, waiting patiently, waiting for you to waiver and stray
a little farther from the source of Light – one step at a time? It’s
creepy.
So, what do
you suppose Cain did? He had just received counsel from the LORD God Almighty
– a warning, in fact. Follow the events.
First was God’s disapproval, then He followed up with advice, now it was up to Cain. What would he do with his free choice? Well, you probably
know the rest of the story. Cain was jealous of Abel’s gift. Step. Cain became angry at God’s rebuff. Step, step. Cain’s
jealousy and anger overwhelmed him – step, just a little farther - and it
led to murder. Cain killed his brother Abel who had received God’s favor
for his sacrifice. Ah, the Darkness!
Anyone else
come to mind? How about Judas? He
was one of the Twelve – the elect of Jesus – handpicked for service in the Kingdom of Light! We learn from John 13:29 that Judas was in charge of keeping the money for the Apostles. Judas must have had a fondness for money. Step. When the woman poured out her perfume on Jesus’ feet
and washed them with her hair some of the Apostles were indignant. They said
the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor (Matt. 26:6-9). Do
you suppose Judas was really concerned about the poor? Step, step. How about when Judas saw that he could make money by
betraying his Master? His greed got the best of him and he stepped into the Darkness. We even know the moment this happened. Luke
22:3 & John 13:27 record that “Satan entered him [Judas]”. John’s gospel records Judas leaving the last supper after this and writes this
lingering and suggestive sentence: “And it was night” (John 13:30). Judas stepped into the Darkness indeed!
So, what can
we learn from these two men? Two things, I think.
First we must decide in which Kingdom we will live in and give our allegiance.
Peter puts it this way, “but you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light”.
(I Pet. 2:9) Or read what Paul had to say in II Cor. 6:14, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness
and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Then he quotes from the prophet Isaiah in vs. 17, “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the LORD.” We
are therefore forced to make a choice: good or evil? Light or dark? Which will guide our steps?
If you are
a Christian – a baptized believer in Jesus – then you’ve already made that choice. Col. 1:12-14 makes this clear, “[God] has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we
have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.” So, I encourage you to remember
your residency and stay on guard against the Darkness.
And that is
the second lesson we can learn from Cain and Judas - we must watch our step. Cain
was counseled by God Himself, Judas walked with Jesus, yet both men, by their consistent choices, chose to turn away from
the Light and embrace the Darkness. We must not allow the same thing to happen
to us. Just being associated or acquainted with the Light is not enough. It takes work and will power to stay in the Light.
Thankfully, God equips us with the strength and the Spirit to remain steadfast.
Jude 1:24 declares Him able to keep us from falling. But we must remain
ever watchful and vigilant. Peter exhorts us to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and
glorify God on the day He visits us.” (I Peter 2:12) Or, as Paul puts
it, “live a life worthy of the Lord … bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God…” (Col. 1:10). That’s tough.
How do you
do it? It takes a transformation of the mind and will. Romans 12:1-2 sums it up nicely: “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God – this is your spiritual [reasonable] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.” Serving God requires a whole change, a complete
dedication, and a strong will. The Kingdom of Light is not for fence-riders or
weaklings. John writes, “If we claim
to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His
Son, purifies us from all sin.” (I John 1:5) The Enemy we face is vicious
and cunning. We must be strong. We
must stand united. We must support one another.
I invite you
then, members of the appropriately named Lighthouse, to stand together, in common community, and encourage one another, pray,
fast, and hide the Word in your hearts and minds. I pray that we all dedicate
ourselves to the task of shining the light on He who is worthy. Praise be to
our God and Father. Long live the King!
Serving Him with you,
Evan
