Course 25 – God is Love and Light
Born to Love
Lesson 1 – God Knows His Own
Introduction
Now that we have heard the gospel and responded by repenting of our sins and are now new creations in the Kingdom of God let us go on to understand more about our new life in Christ.
The fact that God is love means that we His children were born in love and to love. It is His nature so those of us born of Him cannot escape it. The problem is however, that the devil is a counterfeiter and much of what is being banded about as love is not.
The focus here is not on how much God loves us as that’s a given and most dwell on that in their preaching today. The focus here will be on our love for Him as we hear very little about that from preachers today.
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Objective
For you to understand what love is and be able to identify its fruit. For you to grow in love for God and others.
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Shocking But True
Reading assignment
Read Matthew 25:31-46
How God Knows His Own
Complete reading assignment before answering these questions.
1. What two groups were all the peoples divided into?
2. How was the King able to tell them differently?
3. What were they judged on, was it 1. What they believed? 2. What they said? 3. What they did?
4. What was the end of all the goats?
5. What was the end of all the sheep?
6. Based on what we have learnt from this passage, can a person who does nothing be saved?
Love is a verb (an action word). Love is something we do and not merely something we say.
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What is God after?
A Bride for Isaac
Genesis 24
The master sends the servant to get a wife for his son
Vs 2-4 “So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
The criteria for the one that will be chosen
Vs 13-14 “Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
Note how she was kind, patient and considerate. These are traits any father would want in a daughter-in-law.
God is after a bride for His son and the one that will be chosen must pass the love test.
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Love Test 1
Reading assignment
Read Genesis 29:1-30
The proof of True Love
Complete reading assignment before continuing.
Love Perseveres
Paul the apostle gave us a definition for love. He said, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Verse 20 “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.”
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
The test for love is stringent and difficult. It is so designed to prove that the person is not in this for what they can get. It must be a marriage for love and not a business deal or a union of convenience or for social mobility.
Hardship turns the heart inside out. Fire melts the gold and causes the impurities to come to the top. The trials we face will be so difficult only true love could endure it. And it will be like nothing to the person who is truly in love with Christ.
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us…” 2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 
If we do not love Him enough to give up everything, even our lives if necessary, then we are not worthy of Him and will not be rewarded with Him.
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Passionate Love
We must be passionately in love with Christ. Ever wonder why Songs of Solomon is a whole book in the holy scriptures.
“By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. ‘I will rise now,’ I said, ‘And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.’ I sought him, but I did not find him. The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, ‘Have you seen the one I love?’ Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go…” Songs of Solomon 2:1-4
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Love Test 2
1. Jesus’ Commandment
Keep His Commandments
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” John 14:21
The fact that love is tied into obedience makes it very important for us to understand what commandments are for us. Sad to say however, that there is much confusion today among God’s people regarding this matter. This confusion has led many back into bondage to the law. The focus of this lesson is not to clarify the issue of laws though we will touch on it briefly to help us understand how to obey God.
For clarity it is important that we distinguish between the following:
The laws of Moses. Those written by the hand of Moses. Ceremonial and civic laws.
The laws/commandments of God. Those written by the hand of God upon the tablets. The moral laws, the ten commandments.
The commands given by Jesus. Jesus said…
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10
Surprised?
Question: Does this mean that if we do not keep His commandments we will fall outside of His love?
So, do we know what Jesus commands?
Jesus commanded us to do many things. A great number of these can be found in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5 – 7). But there is one command that Jesus said was a new command as if to indicate that it is on par with and should be added to the ten given and written by God.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
2. God’s Commandment
“…whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” 1 John 3:22-23
Not complicated is it?
God’s commandment above to “love one another” covers all ten that were written by God on tablets.
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:14
“…for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:8-9
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
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Summary of what we have learnt so far
God is looking for a bride for His son. One that loves Him deeply, passionately and sincerely. If we are going to be that people we must pass the test of love. And what is the test? Obedience even in the face of great trials.
If we truly love God we will do something. We will obey His commandments. What commandments?
1. Believe on Jesus
2. Love God with all our heart, soul and strength
3. Love our neighbour as ourself
4. Love each other as Jesus loved us.
How did Jesus love us? He gave Himself for us. This is how we must love each other. 1 John 3:16
If we truly love Jesus nothing will stand in the way of us getting to Him. Not the greatest of tragedies or trials.
Others were tortured… Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:35-38
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Lesson 2 – Who is my Brother?
Introduction
John in his first letter sets out to settle the question of how we know those who are the children of God as against those who are not. It was his intention, I am sure, for all who read this letter to not ever again be led astray by the deceivers who are planted among us by the devil. “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.” 1 John 2:26
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Objective
For you to be aware that not all who say Jesus is Lord is actually of God. For you to better discern between those who are of God and those who are not. For you to be honest and humble before God.
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How we know who are His
How John says we must identify them.
There are two ways to find out if we belong to God.
What we do.
What we do not do.
John in his first letter sets out to settle the question of how we know those who are the children of God as against those who are not. It was his intention, I am sure, for all who read this letter to not ever have to ask that question again.
John’s 1st letter
In this small five chapter letter John uses the words ‘This is’, ‘We know’ or ‘This is how we know’ and other such similar terms well over twenty times (According to the NIV translation). So what is it John is so keen to settle in our minds?
John is warning against three sources of deception.
The Antichrist whom they heard was coming but had not yet arrived. (1 John 2:18)
The spirit of Antichrist whom they heard was coming and had already arrived. (1 John 4:3)
The many antichrists and false prophets that had already been dispersed among God’s people to prepare the way for the Antichrist himself. (1 John 2:14 & 4:1)
These are major figures in the battle against truth, whom, by the working of Satan himself, is sent with the single mission of undoing what Christ has done.
So, let us hurry to identify the characteristics of true believers as against those who are plants of the devil sent to divide and deceive us. We will begin in chapter 3 of first John.
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother…” 1 John 3:10
Anyone who does not do what is right/practice righteousness is of the devil. We will focus on this in the ‘God is Light’ module.
Anyone who does not love his brother is of the devil but remember that love is not just something we speak. Love spoken but not acted out is not love.
Those who belong to Christ love God, love their neighbours and will die for their brothers.
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How to identify love
Now that we know that love is the identifying mark of those who are God’s children the next question that must be answered is, ‘what is love?’
To identify love we must look at what a person does.
What Love always does.
Love always gives. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” John 3:16
The Father gave His Son and the Son gave Himself. Love always gives but not all giving comes from love.
“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age…” Galatians 1:3-4
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:16
Not all giving is love
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 Some acts of kindness can come from wrong motives. For example a company that contribute to a good cause to get tax refunds or a person who gives to receive back in kind or recognition. The word ‘sewing’ is popularly used today to describe a kind of giving where people ‘sew’ not because they care about hurting people but because they want to reap a harvest of material things.
Note: It is important that you understand that when scripture says those who give will receive that it is just stating a truth and not suggesting that we should give to receive.
There is TRUE giving that comes from a heart that truly cares and FALSE giving that may just be a religious act like tithing. Giving to receive is wrong, even if the person we hope to receive from is God. To clarify this issue Jesus said, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Matthew 21:12-14
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16
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How to understand love
Man’s Love
Man’s love is based on Circumstances. Can a person who does not have God (is not saved) love? Yes, because we were made in the image of God. God has invested some of Himself in every human being so every person has the ability to love, to an extent. People who are without God can express natural human love but not the God kind of love.
Human love is limited to circumstances
– We will love those who love us. Those who were kind to us and gave us support when we needed it.
– We will love those who are for us. Those on our team, in our family or share our point of view and convictions.
– We will love those from whom we can gain something. Those who speak well of us or can boost our influence and material wealth.
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God’s Love
God’s love is unconditional. Jesus says our righteousness must go beyond that of the religious leaders. He then used examples to point out to us a love that is beyond natural human conditional love.
“…I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren[i] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48
God’s love is made known to us through Jesus. To know and understand what true love is we need to look at Jesus.
This God kind of love is humanly impossible and can only be achieved by the Holy Spirit working through us. We can now love with the God kind of love because, “…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 Read on to understand the kind of love that is poured into our hearts. 
The greatest act of giving
The greatest act of giving is to give of ourselves. Giving things is good but to give ourself is greatest. I disagree with the saying ‘It takes cash to care’. I believe to the contrary it takes time to care. Giving from our excess is not true giving. Giving even though we are in need is true giving.
One of the greatest act of giving is to preach the gospel to lost souls. To save a natural life is essential but to save spiritual life is of even much greater value.
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John continues to explain
“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:13-15
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
“If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21
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Lesson 3 – Love Defined
Introduction
Paul must have thought long and hard to come up with such a clear definition for love. In this scripture he gives a detailed description of what love is. Let us take a closer look to better understand love based on this definition.
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Objective
For you to understand that love is an action verb and therefore begin to live a life of love and not just speak about it. For you to resolve to do what love requires.
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Love Defined 
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful, and trusting.” (CEV)
Suffer long: Patience under adverse circumstances. In such situations you may be suffering great loss or pain but rather than complain, get anxious and quarrel with others you commit the situation to God and continue to be kind and gentle.
Is kind: Puts the needs of others before their own. To be generous, and considerate.
Does not envy: “A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions or qualities.” (Oxford Dict.)
Is not boastful: “Showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities.” (Oxford Dict.) A boastful person brags or use other means to make known their achievements and possessions.
Is Not Proud: “The quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance.” (Oxford Dict.)
Is not rude: “Offensively impolite or bad-mannered.” (Oxford Dict.)
Is not selfish: Self seeking. Always putting one’s own needs above that of others. Being so focussed on self that even the obvious needs of others are not noticed.
Is not quick tempered: To get into a huff and a rant without much provocation.
Thinks no evil: Looks for the good in others and is not suspicious. This however is not a license to be naive and stupid.
Does not rejoice in iniquity: Experiences deep disgust when dishonesty or injustice is observed. Does not glory in the fall of others.
Rejoices in the truth: Takes pleasure in seeing honesty and in being honest. Gets a sense of fulfilment and pleasure when being just or in seeing justice done.
Try and see if you could define or explain these:
Bears all things; Believes all things; Hopes all things; Endures all things.
Try and see if you could define these:
Bears all things; Believes all things; Hopes all things; Endures all things.
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Case study of love
Paul the Apostle
Paul must know a bit about love to define it so well. Let us therefore take a quick look at Paul the person to see how he lived what he so well defined.
Suffer long: 2 Corinthians 11:22-32
Is kind: “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10 Paul didn’t just agree that poor saints should be helped but was himself eager to give help. See also 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Does not envy: Acts 20:32-33
Is not boastful: Galatians 6:14
Is Not Proud: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me” Acts 20:18-19
Is not rude: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-11
Is not selfish: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…” 1 Corinthians 9:19
Is not quick tempered: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.” 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Thinks no evil:
Does not rejoice in iniquity: 2 Corinthians 11:29
Rejoices in the truth:
All the above virtues are driven by an inward God given quality called love. It is love that drives as well as restrains us. It is this love of God and love for the brethren why we do the things we do, go the places we go and willingly suffer the things we suffer.
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Conclusion
This lesson marks the end of Module 3. In this module we learnt that those born of God love in deed and not in word only. Our acts of kindness are not from selfish motives but from a heart of true concern and care. God is love and He is our Father. So we are born to love as a natural outworking of the Spirit of God who is in us from the point of our salvation.
Now go to the assessment >
Lesson 1 – Light Defined
Introduction
John in his first letter announced to us in very clear terms that he has seen with his own eyes and has touched with his own hands the one who was from the beginning, the Lord of glory. They saw and heard from Him who was life itself, the one who was with the Father and was sent by the Father. He came with a message and this message was that, “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”
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Objective
To explore what is meant by the statement ‘God is light’. To come to grips with the vast difference between light and darkness and the implications of living in one or the other. To develop discernment of dark practices while ourselves are in the light. To be aware of lifestyle choices that are consistent with walking in light and to develop an abhorrence for works of darkness. To put a heightened value on holiness.
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What is Light?
According to the Oxford Dictionary light is: “The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible”
Light gives sight to the eyes. Without it no one can see. Light is the opposite of darkness. Without clear instructions we will be confused not knowing where to go or what to do. Without light we will be blind and stumbling not seeing where to go or what’s in our way.
As our eyes need light so too our spirits. Natural light teaches us about spiritual light. As it is with one so also it is with the other, without them everything is black but with them everything comes alive with vibrant colours, textures and shape. Those who cannot see natural things are physically blind and those who cannot see spiritual things are spiritually blind.
Light has a source
Light always comes from a source while darkness is only the absence of light. As the sun is the source of natural light so Jesus is the source of spiritual light.
“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” Revelations 21:23
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-9
Jesus came to shine His light into a spiritually dead and dark world.
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
The entrance of darkness
Scriptures started by telling us the state the earth was in before God created natural light.
“The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.” Genesis 1:2
An earth that was delivered from natural darkness at its creation was soon plunged into spiritual darkness by the sin of Adam. Natural darkness is bad but spiritual darkness is much worst. The darkness brought by Adam’s sin is an ever increasing darkness that plunges people into a deepening hopelessness and despair. Even when we thought people could not be more blind still they continue to lose sight of the truth. Soon there will be absolutely no truth in the ungodly. Their darkness deepens.
“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people…” Isaiah 60:2
“…If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20
Light restored
Jesus, through His obedience, has restored light to a world that Adam, through his disobedience, plunged into darkness. This light however, will not be forced upon men. We must choose to either come in and be illuminated by it or to remain in darkness. Most have chosen to remain in darkness.
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-21
Shameful acts of deception and immorality are done under the cover of darkness so men rejected the light of Christ because they loved these dark deeds and wanted to continue them.
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)
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Lesson 2 – Walking and Living in Light
Introduction
It is clear from scriptures that coming out of darkness is one thing but staying away from darkness is quite another thing. Paul instructed those in the church at Ephesus who have made a profession of faith that they should also live a life of purity that is in line with their claim of salvation (see Ephesians 4:17-19).
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Objectives
For you to develop the determination to endure to the end. For you to be a light for Christ in your daily living. That you may understand that God is no respecter of persons and will judge those who will not obey His commandments.
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Come in and Remain in
The gospel is good news to those who will be convicted, resulting in them wanting to come out of darkness. It announces the way out and empowers us to make the step.
“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:12-14
Those of us who accepted the message have been translated from darkness into His light and are enjoying the glorious benefits of spiritual vision.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1 Peter 2:9
As children of the day we must continue in His light and not return to darkness. If we return to darkness and is again overcome by the sins of darkness it could be a sign that we were not saved in the first place.
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No darkness at all
I can assure you that man’s search for life on other planets will yield only a negative result. The billions of galaxies in all their glory are nothing more than the most awesome display of lights as designed and spread out by the Father of lights. They are put there for us to wonder at the glory and majesty of God.
“…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 practice the truth.” 1 John 1:5-6
Note: The person who has fellowship with God cannot be walking in darkness. It is impossible. If we know someone is walking in darkness but hear them saying they have fellowship with God we know they are lying. There is no darkness in God.
A test to see if someone is truly in Christ is to see if they are walking in darkness or in the light.
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Identifying darkness
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’” Exodus 19:10-11
One may wonder why God would instruct His people to wash their clothes before He visits. This is an indication of what God is like. We must remember that God is pure, clean and holy and does not associate with that which is dirty, defiled or unholy. This washing of clothes in the Exodus 19 scripture or wherever we may see instructions concerning ritual cleansing are all a foreshadowing of a deeper cleansing i.e. the cleansing of our souls and spirits and living a life that is pure and sanctified.
This symbolism is carried through all the way to Revelations. “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” Revelations 7:13-14
Here the saints who worship before His throne had their robes washed, not in water, but in the blood of the Lamb. The blood of Jesus is for the cleansing of our souls. A sinful, defiled person cannot come before His presence.
“‘This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.’ Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:20-22
The natural instruments and the tabernacle itself had to be sanctified with blood for them to be qualified to be used in worship. We too must be cleansed before we can be instruments of worship.
Commenting on Elijah’s showdown against the 450 Baal prophets Roger Ellsworth said, “The fire tells us there can be no communion with God until sin is dealt with.” Standing for God, pg 81
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Sin is darkness
Sin is a byproduct of darkness
Spiritual darkness is manifested or acted out in observable ways. Like many harmful bacteria, the deeds of the flesh flourishes in darkness but dies in the exposure of the light. The person who lives in the flesh is living in darkness.
God’s light is pure and undefiled but sin is impurity, defilement and darkness. There is no light where sin prevails. To enter into God’s light therefore, sin must be dealt with. It must be washed away by the blood of the Lamb. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” 1 John 3:9 The person who is born of God may fall into sin but gets back up and out as soon as possible because they find it repulsive. If one makes their bed in sin it is a sign that they are not born of God.
Sin and darkness manifest themselves as follows.
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…” Ephesians 5:5-8
It is because of these sinful acts that the wrath of God is coming so let no one use empty, deceitful words to convince you otherwise. God is going to judge sin and those who chose to remain in darkness will be plunged into a fiery pit and into an everlasting darkness.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Hatred is another sign of darkness
“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:9-11
Module Summary
Spiritual light, like natural light, is very real and even more so. Darkness is death and a dead end but light brings life and opens up an eternity of colours and vibrance. God is light and the Father of lights. Those whose actions are the manifestation of darkness i.e. those who practice sin, are not God’s children and have no fellowship with Him though they may try to convince us otherwise.
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