Getting Used To The Dark

[BHughesNC]

Getting Used To The Dark

In this day and age it seems that sin is seriously on the increase. Morality in or nation is at an all time low. There is rampant sexual perversion, adultery, fornication, and murder. Word of these fill our news and our communities. Problems that were once only in the big cities now haunt small town America, even in the bible belt. Things that were once kept in the dark yesterday are openly displayed today. Some people say this is the way it should be. The common idea is that people should be able to live their lives in the open without fear of condemnation. How have we come to such a place? Answer: Christians are getting used to the dark.

“and men loved darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth
evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (discovered)”.
John 3 :19-20

Our military uses darkness to it’s advantage for obvious reasons. During my time in the military I learned a lesson about the dark. Almost everything happens in the dark. Darkness hides your activity, just as it hides the activity of Satan in our lives. Satan cannot bear the light, because darkness and light cannot co-exist. I remember a night in Germany sitting on a hillside just about dusk. We were instructed to extinguish all light producing sources. As darkness slowly crept upon us amazingly my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I could not see clearly, but I was able to see enough to maneuver without stumbling. I could get by. Without warning or expectation an illuminating flare was lit high in the night sky. The entire sky around us was illuminated with a brilliant light. While the flare was burning we could see as clearly as if it were day. As the flare burned out, initially I could see nothing. When the flare was totally burned out my eyes
had to readjust to the darkness. If we lived in a dark environment all the time we could get used to the dark.

”This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, God is Light and in him is no
darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
the truth. 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 cleaneth form all sin”
1John 1: 5-7

Darkness of itself does not exist. Darkness is the absence of light. As thelight of that brilliant flare burned and lit up the night sky we could see clearly, as it burned out darkness began to engulf us again. Just as our eyes can slowly get used to the dark we as Christians let the absence of light to creep into our lives. We can get used to the dark. Where does our light come from? The presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts is our flare in the night sky.

“ I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”.
John 9: 4-5

Jesus is our flare in the night sky, He is the bright and morning star. When we ask Him into our lives He fills us with His light through the Holy Spirit. So if we have such an abundance of light why are we getting used to the dark? So say there is just too much darkness in the world today to make a difference. I say God forbid! A little light goes a long way. Consider the size of that flare to the size of the night sky it lit up. The bible talks of a candle, how much light can one candle put off? I think a lot of us are hiding
our candle. We are afraid for others to see our candle burning for one reason or another. Could it be pride or insecurity. Are you afraid that your light might expose things the are lacking in your life? Are you afraid your life will expose the wrong in the lives of people you are close to, hindering your relationship. Light and darkness cannot walk together. So are you just getting used to the dark?

“ Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in
heaven.”
Matthew 5: 14-16

As more and more Christian get used to the dark, there is less and less light shining forth to overcome the darkness.The only remedy is more light. We all have to uncover our candles. We need to search out and light more candles. Let us all pray that we will be willing to allow God to brighten our light through a revival that will send light throughout the world. Let none get used to the dark!

Three mornings in a row on my way to work I passed cars in the oncoming lane with one headlight out. The drivers of these cars possibly may not have know they were driving with only one headlight. Those that did may have been like me. They were just too busy with other things to get it fixed right away. They had more important things to worry about because they could see even though dimly. Does your Christian walk have a headlight out? Why not let God replace it with two of those “starbright” bulbs?

We need to think about the children’s song “This little light of mine,I’m gonna let it shine”

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord, walk as children of the light”
Ephesians 5:8

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[spot]

Originally Posted by rjwould

I'm going to assume you're against all wars then, "Thou shalt not kill". Is that fair to say? Or are there exceptions to that commandment?

How could there not be exceptions? The bible demands that certain people in certain situations must be killed, that's not contrary to the commandment. The commandment's against a specific form of killing, "ratsach", to murder, slay, kill - with premeditation, or as an avenger, an intentional slayer. one who murders or assassinates. If you're involved in a godly war on God's behest, at his command, under his orders, you're not doing that. You're spreading enlightenment at the point of a sword.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by spot

How could there not be exceptions? The bible demands that certain people in certain situations must be killed, that's not contrary to the commandment. The commandment's against a specific form of killing, "ratsach", to murder, slay, kill - with premeditation, or as an avenger, an intentional slayer. one who murders or assassinates. If you're involved in a godly war on God's behest, at his command, under his orders, you're not doing that. You're spreading enlightenment at the point of a sword.

Killing is killing!

Might I ask who gets to decide God's behest?

I'd also ask how many times he's commanded both sides to spread enlightenment at the point of a sword.

[spot]

I'm sorry to contradict you but "my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless", and the speaker is God himself at this point in the narrative if I remember correctly. Two sorts of killing, see.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by spot

I'm sorry to contradict you but "my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless", and the speaker is God himself at this point in the narrative if I remember correctly. Two sorts of killing, see.

Never did get on too well with the Old Testament - if God wants vengeance He can take it Himself.

[spot]

Ah. That'll be the quails and the earthquakes and the lightning and the inclement continuous precipitation. I expect I missed a few arcane applications of benevolence in that list. Bears! Of course! Bears.

[BHughesNC]

Originally Posted by rjwould

I'm going to assume you're against all wars then, "Thou shalt not kill". Is that fair to say? Or are there exceptions to that commandment?

I really do know know what my post had to do with "wars".

God Bless

[BHughesNC]

Originally Posted by rjwould

I'm going to assume you're against all wars then, "Thou shalt not kill". Is that fair to say? Or are there exceptions to that commandment?

Many people believe the Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill,” and seek to apply this command to war. However, the Bible actually says, “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Hebrew word literally means “the intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice.

Bobby

[weeder]

There isnt any fornication going on in my neck of the woods.. in the dark, or the light.
Maybe, I just havent noticed.

[gmc]

postedby bhughesnc

In this day and age it seems that sin is seriously on the increase. Morality in or nation is at an all time low. There is rampant sexual perversion, adultery, fornication, and murder. Word of these fill our news and our communities. Problems that were once only in the big cities now haunt small town America, even in the bible belt. Things that were once kept in the dark yesterday are openly displayed today. Some people say this is the way it should be. The common idea is that people should be able to live their lives in the open without fear of condemnation. How have we come to such a place? Answer: Christians are getting used to the dark.

The only darkness you need really worry about is that brought by those who believe they and only they know how people should think and believe.

The common idea is that people should be able to live their lives in the open without fear of condemnation. How have we come to such a place? Answer: Christians are getting used to the dark

Thank goodness we have progressed from the bad old days of narrow minded bigots ruling the roost. Next you will be calling for the witch-finder general.

Just be grateful you live in a secular society where you are free to practice any religion you want. Worry about your own soul. No one wants wants the days of religious intolerance and bigotry back