| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net "And then it was Night" There's a lot of contrary beliefs when it comes to Light vs Darkness. In recent times, we have come to accept darkness as a norm; a byproduct of the light if you will. For instance, we have raised two generations to accept the Dark side of "the Force" as a necessary evil. The Yin/yang? is an eastern symbol in the which half of the sphere is an almond shaped light while its perfectly fitting counterpart is black, and must be received as part of the whole. Our kids watch shows like "The Good Witch". We already discussed how the world celebrates mediums, calling what they do a "gift", while God says: "My people will have nothing to do with it". (see Deut. 18:9-14). But today, I want to go in a different direction w/regard to darkness. What is it from God's perspective - and so then how should we view it? God actually has much to say about it, but I'll be brief. 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. 1st John 1:5. See also John 1. This isn't ambiguous, so how do we react to this? Well, God answers this in Col. 1:13 = "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" Application: When Jesus dispatched Judas to do his worst in John 13, we see many notable things about him, and I fear us as well. This portion of Scripture ends with - "and then it was night". selah The Apostles enjoyed the very presence of The Son of God while He was with them, but then and hence, we are in a period of darkness. Judas's example begs some introspective questions in the form of The Spiritual Switch. Judas was a hypocrite and not a believer. He had never believed - John 6:64-71. He had not been washed by Jesus - John 13:10-11. He was then, not among the gifts from the Father to the Son - 13:18. He had been to Church, Got the memo, enjoyed pseudo fellowship and even the protection of Jesus as long as he was in proximity. He thought he was good to go. Nugget: Most wolves think they are sheep. Question: How close can a person (you) come to Jesus and yet be lost forever? Nugget: Jesus openly declared Judas's intentions to the balance of the Apostles - Only after he was gone. This had two purposes. 1, so they wouldn't stop him, and 2 (for you and me), to display His Sovereign foreknowledge and control. We are in darkness now (current affairs) but the Christian knows that Jesus is God's Son, sent by God the Father. To receive the message and the messenger, is to receive God. Now then, No one but Jesus knew he was a traitor. He was exposed to the same Spiritual privileges as the rest of them. Relax it's not your call w/regard to others. Still, 2nd Cor. 13:5 admonishes us to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;"..... Judas left the Light and entered darkness. You can leave the darkness and enter Eternal Light. Join us this Sunday as we answer the questions this has stirred within you. God bless.
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