Are You Standing in the Light?
Read: John chapter 3:17-36, Revelation 19:11-16, and Psalm 139 (again)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is the anthem of Christianity. We read it. We say it. We share it. But have we read beyond it? Verse 17 goes on to say that Jesus didn’t come to judge but to save, and we all feel good about that. Don’t we? In fact, there is this spirit of “you can’t judge me” in our culture. I saw a young man in a restaurant the other day with these words tattooed on the outer edge of his forearm so that people could easily read it: “You’re not my judge.” I wanted to walk up to him as his grandmother paid for their food and ask, “Do you know your judge and do you know the freedom He offers you?
John goes on to tell us that judgement is already in the world. The Light, which is Jesus, has come into the world, but those who love evil instead of the Light hide in the darkness for fear that they will be exposed. Deceit needs darkness to hide. It is the Light that exposes evil and brings truth. Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the cross so that we might live in His light. He who does not believe has been judged already because he is trying to hide his sin in the dark. The problem is that you can’t hide from God. Remember Psalm 139? The unbeliever isn’t hiding but simply refusing the offer of forgiveness, the offering of atonement that Jesus gave on the cross.
In John 3 we learn that Jesus came as our savior to give His life for our sins, the humble servant who loves all. But in the scene from Revelation, we see Jesus as the warrior king coming to strike down those who oppose God. And what is His weapon? God’s word! It comes out of His mouth. Just as God spoke creation into being with “Let there be light,” Jesus will slay God’s enemies, the ones who stay in the darkness, with His word. What is worse: confessing before Jesus, the humble servant, while He offers forgiveness, or trying to hide from the warrior King whose words will always hit their mark? Those are our two choices. The scene of John 3 switches from the cross to John the Baptist. People are questioning him because Jesus is also baptizing. John admits that a man can only do what God gives him and he has been given the job of friend of the bridegroom. The focus of the wedding is not the friend of the groom. No. The focus is the bride and the groom. Jesus is the groom. Therefore, it is time for him, John, to step back and let Jesus take the stage.
John goes on to say that Jesus is from heaven and that His testimony is from heaven. He says that Jesus is sent by God and speaks God’s words. John the Baptist ends with this thought: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
Believing + Obeying = Faith
The placement of this message isn’t coincidental. Think back. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus? Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . unless one is born of water and spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God . . . As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life . . . whoever believes in Him shall not perish . . . but he who practices the truth comes to the Light. Like a moth to a flame, we who believe Jesus will be drawn to Him and will receive not only eternal life but also the Spirit of God who will come to us, here and now, to guide us and comfort us and strengthen us. We will not be alone because He will be with us. We will be the bride standing next to the groom, and that is a good place to be.
Questions/Responses:
Where do you see the spirit of “you can’t judge me” in our world?
Where do you need to allow the Lord shine His Light in your life? What changes do you think you will need to make in order to walk in the Light?
What connection does John the Baptist draw between believing and obeying? How does that look in your own life?
Pray. Confess where you know you are not living in His Light and ask for help. He is faithful and will help you.
