LIGHT UP

There are two principles at work within a Christ-follower. The first principle you’re born with. It was your natural or default mode. It is called “darkness.” But, since the time you came to know Christ as your Savior and Lord you entered into principle number two—“Light.” These two principles do not get along with each other.

The apostle Paul, in Romans 7:21 and following, speaks of this war within when he says, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” What causes this state of being that Paul describes? The way to understanding this issue begins in the first book and chapter of the Bible — Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4 NKJV)

Darkness left to itself is quiet and at peace. But the moment when God inserts the light a conflict begins. Darkness and light are in opposition to each other, thus the conflict. A conflict which will never stop until the Christ-follower is altogether given over to the light found only in Jesus Christ. If you are having conflicting opinions it is because a war is taking place from within and without. As soon as you receive Christ into your life His light begins to illuminate your life and you proceed to separate yourself from the darkness that was once your home. You begin to break away from worldly held traditions that were automatic and routine, because now the only thing that will satisfy your life is the Gospel of Christ. You become less and less enticed by society and its frivolous amusements. Instead you seek the company of other believers, which “proves that we have passed from death to life because we love our Christian brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:14)

The light hangs with light, and the darkness hangs with darkness. It is not wise and may we never try to unite that which God has divided. Instead let us leave the darkness behind following Christ’s example bearing the disgrace He bore forsaking ungodly ways and be His peculiar people. Jesus was a nonconformist to the ways of the world and sin. It’s time we light up to be distinguished from the rest of the world by our likeness to our Savior and Lord.

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