Bible League: Living His Word "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."— John 12:46 NIV Apart from Jesus Christ, it is difficult to see the world for what it is and difficult to find your way in it. The Bible says this is because of sin and the hardness of the heart (Ephesians 4:18). Sin keeps people from seeing properly. The Bible also says that Satan, the spiritual tyrant behind sin, blinds the minds of everyone who lives apart from Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Together, sin and Satan keep people from seeing the world truly, keeping us in the dark about the world and life, in general. However, Jesus came as the remedy for our blindness. He came as a light shining in the darkness helping us to see. "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:4-5). With Jesus shining in the darkness, the world is lit up and we begin to see it for what it is, and we begin to see which way we should go in it. No one who accepts Jesus and what He has to say stays in the darkness. On the other hand, those who refuse to accept Him stay there forever. Additionally, when we accept Jesus, we become lights ourselves. That's what the Apostle Paul said, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). Instead of remaining as parts of the darkness, we become lights that show people the way, modeling to people the way to become lights themselves. People who have become light in the Lord are critical to show the way for others. That's why those who have become light in the Lord should let their lights shine. Jesus said, "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others" (Matthew 5:15-16). Arise, then, and shine! Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 27, 28 Isaiah 27 -- The Deliverance of Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 28 -- Woe to Ephraim; Warning to Judah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5 -- Be Imitators of God; Love and Respect between Husbands and Wives NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.Insight Standing firm is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Endurance is not a means to earn salvation; it is a by-product of a truly devoted life. Endurance grows out of commitment to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated what he stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions, however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times of trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. Challenge When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don't do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm and continue to live for Christ. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of his love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the believer to the King's palace above. In olden times the sons of God were favored with their visible appearance, and at this day, although unseen by us, heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes could be opened, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire about the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors of the seed-royal. Spenser's line is no poetic fiction, where he sings-- "How oft do they with golden pinions cleave The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant Against foul fiends to aid us militant!" To what dignity are the chosen elevated when the brilliant courtiers of heaven become their willing servitors! Into what communion are we raised since we have intercourse with spotless celestials! How well are we defended since all the twenty- thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance! To whom do we owe all this? Let the Lord Jesus Christ be forever endeared to us, for through him we are made to sit in heavenly places far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp is round about them that fear him; he is the true Michael whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus! thou Angel of Jehovah's presence, to thee this family offers its morning vows. Daily Light on the Daily Path Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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