I recently found myself thinking about the great contrast between light and dark and equating that contrast to our walk with Christ. When I sin, I have stepped out of light into darkness. When I am walking with Christ, I have left the darkness behind to live in the light. There is a contrast there, and an important one.
Now I am not necessarily one to focus on the “bad” – but as you deal with your times of darkness, let me encourage you in this; instead of moping about in the darkness, let those experiences draw a contrast that accentuates the light of Christ. What does that look like practically? Not a day goes by when we don't sin – either actively or passively. We must grieve over that sin, and by the grace given to us by Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to do so. But do not remain in grief - let the times of walking in the darkness make walking in the light so much sweeter. As the old adage goes, you never appreciate your health so much until after you've been sick. You can't fully appreciate the depth of your salvation until you have seen the depths of your own sin and darkness. Not that our focus remains there – but when you have a deep knowledge of what you have been saved from, you will see your walk in the light become immeasurably precious through that contrast.
As I was thinking about this, I found a good article by John Piper entitled Let Us Walk in the Light of God. In it, he talks about being “new creatures” and walking in the light with Christ. I think this is a fitting concluding remark from that article - “The mark of the new creature in Christ is not a rosy self concept. It is brokenness for remaining sin mingled with a joyful confidence in the super-abounding grace of God in Christ.”
Let that contrast deepen your joy in Christ this new year.
9 comments:
you're back! =) Great post van.diesel to open the new year. I love the don't "remain" in grief thought. We do so often find ourselves in the darkness but then continue to walo there. It's in those moments we should grasp grace on a deeper level, have a deeper awe at our salvation and a greater recognition of the holiness of our great God in stark contrast to our sinful ways. After all, we wouldn't need a Savior if we weren't sinners. REasier said then done for me thought. Still chewing on this one...i may be back =)
Before I go =) ...Any advice on how to get out of the darkness once you realize you're there? Sometimes it seems the light is too bright for people and they play in the darkness a little longer (even though they see they're in the dark) and sometimes they just don't know how to get back. The darkness, sin, feeds the flesh and it can be hard after stimulating it to walk away. Just a few questions i'd love your thoughts on =)
hey here is a quantam physical thought for you...
Did you know that time stands still inside and around light. Also light always travels the same speed. Regardless. Same speed.
What that has to do with your post? Nothing. Yayer
It is intereting to remember that for Jesus everything is clear... black and white.
Satan likes to make things shades of grey.
And we often like to walk on the edge of the light.
I used to have this friend who would read and respond. One who would blog no matter what. I miss him.
Hey! I'm glad that you are back. I love to read your blog. Very encouraging.
hey good to hear you again. That is something I have been thinking about this last week. Very timely and very well stated by you and the author of that article. thanks bro.
Not to remain in that grief, for what would be the point of grace if we lived continually beating ourselves up? I want more than anything to remain in the joy of Christ, the times I've tasted it have been so sweet. I look around and see the lives of those in my family without salvation. There but for the grace of God....and I'm the one whose had more loss, yet we are to count it gain if it draws us nearer to God. I pray for my family of course, but I also do see in them the contrast you write of. What will it take to remember our God is one of grace and love, and that is why we have hope where other's don't?
I also really enjoy Natala's site, just thought I'd throw that in! Thanks for such great insight!
Just checking in and seeing if you have come up for air!
Not to worry, friends. I'm still alive, just busy with work and freelance jobs and family. I have some writing brewing, soon to post. Thanks for checking in.
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