Author: Harlan Sorrell
In John, chapter one, we read:
1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2: The same was in the beginning with God.
3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Our question is: since Christ is the Light that “lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” how is it that the world is in such gross darkness today? Jesus Himself answered this question in John, chapter three:
19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
It is an amazing thing how that the glorious light of the gospel can shine in the midst of darkness, and yet the darkened ones fail to comprehend the light for what it is! In the book of second Corinthians, chapter four, Apostle Paul said:
3: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The solemn fact is, people’s minds become blinded to the light! How does this happen? Jesus plainly tells us in John, chapter twelve:
35: Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36: While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
If we fail, or neglect, to love and embrace the light and walk in it, Jesus will hide Himself from us and darkness will come upon us. We only receive the light of the knowledge of the glory of God as we behold the face of Jesus Christ and allow Him to impart the treasure of His grace and truth to our earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:6-7). In Ephesians, chapter five, Paul said:
13: But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14: Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
The great problem in these dark and evil days in which we live is not that people do not have light. It is, rather, that they have not loved, embraced, and walked in the light that is now shining. And, as Jesus said, “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” The light requires “repentance” of every evil deed or work of darkness. Whenever an evil deed or work of darkness is made manifest by the light, we have only two choices. We can either repent and walk in the light, and thus become “children of light,” or we can withdraw ourselves from the light and reject it, and thus remain children of darkness. The primary message of Jesus’ ministry was “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mark 1:15. And Peter said, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19.
It is also a fact that if the children of light do not continue to walk in the light, they too will go into darkness. Jesus said to the Jews, in John 5:33,35, “Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. … He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” Also, in John, chapter six, we read how that, after Jesus’ discourse on the true living bread, “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (Verse 60.) Then in verse 66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” In other words, they refused to walk any longer in the light. They came up against a portion of light (manifestation of the truth as it is in Jesus) that they were not willing to accept. Walking in the light is a progressive process. “The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18. It requires following Jesus ALL THE WAY, one step at a time. He said, “he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:38-39. In other words, we must believe to the point that we continue on following Jesus, hearing and doing all His revelation, never drawing back in rebellion or disobedience to His Word at any point. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32. Only thus can our souls be ultimately saved.
1 John 1:
5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
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Not only does the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us from all sin, but we are also sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26) as we walk in its light. Whoever neglects to walk in the light digresses from the sanctified life. And, unless such digression is soon corrected, that soul will revert to darkness and end up in a backslidden condition. Walking in the light requires self-denial. “And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.
Whether we abide in darkness or in light is our personal option. We all act according to what we choose to believe. We can either believe in the light, walk in it, and become children of light or reject it and remain in darkness.
Romans 13:
12: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
1 Thessalonians 5:
1: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4: But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5: Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7: For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
“He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
But shall have the light, the light of life; [John 8:12]
Walking in His footsteps, pure and spotless,
We are fully saved from sinful strife.
“He that followeth me shall have full assurance
That his sins are pardoned, every one;
He shall have the knowledge of acceptance
In the Father’s well-beloved Son.
“He that followeth me shall conquer forever,
For I’ll interpose my grace and power;
From my hand of strength there’s naught can sever,
If you will obey and trust each hour.
“He that followeth me shall have peace and pleasure,
He that will reject my Word shall fall;
I will freely give my hidden treasure
Unto those who hear and heed my call.”
— B. E. Warren
My dearest friend is Jesus, on Him I do depend;
He says He will be with me until my journey’s end.
I know I’ve many trials, they come from ev’ry hand;
I find God’s grace sufficient, I know He’ll make me stand.
I’ve found a precious promise, which comforts me today;
‘Tis the promise of the Spirit, to guide me all the way.
Lord, give me holy wisdom to walk this narrow way,
And lead me by Thy Spirit that I go not astray.
I know I love my Saviour, I know that He loves me;
And now we walk together, because we can agree.
Get in touch with God, my brother, get in touch with God, I pray;
Keep in touch with God, my brother, and walk this narrow way.
— Will Smith
