If Ye then be Risen with Christ - Walk as Children of Light in this Perverse World

• Thanks unto the Father, who has Delivered Us from the Power of Darkness - The “darkness” and “power of Satan” underlies an unsaved person’s life. Psa 107:10 reveals the sinful nature of all who are unsaved: “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron”. This verse is also quoted in Isa 9:2, Mat 4:16 and other New Testament passages as well, and adds that there is genuine hope in spite of man’s sinfulness: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined”. Prior to salvation everyone is spiritually blind and under Satan’s authority, as 2 Cor 4:4 indicates: “In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not ...”. 2 Cor 4:6 highlights the necessity of salvation, by the Lord Jesus Christ who is the “light of the world” and the only Savior for sinners. 2 Pet 1:19 declares, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts ...”. Salvation occurs when God shines the light of the true Gospel into the souls of those He came to save and dispels the spiritual darkness, as we read in John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. True believers are “translated” out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ at the moment the spiritual “first resurrection” of their souls takes place, according to Col 1:12-13, and pictures the transfer of power and spiritual metamorphosis that occurs when one experiences birth from above to become a servant of Christ. The spiritual “everlasting light” spoken of in Isa 60:19-20 will one day be fulfilled literally in the New Heavens and the New Earth. It is His glory, indeed, that was the source of light when He declared in Gen 1:3 “Let there be light” even though He had not yet created the sun; and it will be His inexpressible glory that will illuminate the “New Jerusalem” for eternity, according to Rev 21:23, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof”.

2 Cor 4:4 “In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

2 Cor 4:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Col 1:12-13 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

Isa 60:19-20 “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

• Walk as Children of Light in the Midst of a Crooked and Perverse Nation - John 3:21 teaches, “… he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought [worked] in God”. Here the true nature of the Christian becomes apparent. Notice how the verse says, “he that doeth truth cometh to the light”. Truth is not merely a principle to be believed, but is intended to be lived out, as 1 John 3:18-19 explains: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him”. Jam 1:22 repeats this vital axiom: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”. John 3:21 says that the one doing truth does so openly, letting his light shine as a witness – to demonstrate that his good works are done by God, who is working to will and to do of His good pleasure in the believer’s life. Isa 26:12 maintains: “LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought [worked] all our works in us”. The sacrifice of Christ, in paying the staggering price of eternal damnation for His elect children, that God constantly highlights, compels the true Christian to a life of greater thanksgiving and illustrates the chief characteristic of the child of God is that of steadfast obedience to the Bible out of love for His Savior, according to Php 2:12-15: “... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”. The terms “crooked and perverse nation” vividly portray the depths of man’s spiritual depravity. This verse underscores the preeminent quality that characterizes true service to God is faithfulness to the Word of God. The injunction in Rom 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” is given to all believers, and underscores the true Christian’s desire to be obedient to the Word of God in thought, word and deed. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices involves giving of ourselves – our time, talents, and finances – as a visible expression of our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for His marvelous salvation. The task of spreading the Gospel to the lost and personal growth in God’s grace is of utmost importance in a believers life. Dan 12:3, speaking of the believer’s mandate to send forth the Gospel: “And they that be wise [saved] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever”.

1 Pet 2:9-11 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

Matt 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither 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. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

1 John 2:8-11 “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

Php 2:15-16 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

• What Communion hath Light with Darkness? - Whatever is of utmost value to a person will receive the greatest amount of attention in terms of time, labor, and money. It is that which consumes our thoughts, is the object of our words, embodies our hopes, shapes our goals, molds our future, and ultimately gives meaning and purpose to life. In essence, one will either be serving Christ in the Kingdom of God or Satan and his kingdom. Another factor that affects all of us who have been redeemed is the body of flesh that we inhabit, and that has not yet become saved. 2 Cor 6:16 informs us that believers “are the temple of the living God” and 1 Pet 1:15 remind us “he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation”. The world is anything but holy, yet to live a “holy” life in this world means to just simply obey God and Keep His commandments. A true believer recognizes that he is a “pilgrim” and a “stranger” in this world and separates himself from the World. These verses are in no way suggesting to be judgmental towards others but rather to be a good witness to them. God tells us to have our “conversation”, the way that we live, “honest”, in agreement with what we are professing. We need to “put on the armour of light”, to fight this spiritual battle always praying and watching for the judgement day. “The whole armour of God” according to Eph 6:14-18 comprises of spiritual weapons “truth of the Word of God”, “breastplate of righteousness”, “preaching the gospel of peace”, “the shield of faith”, “the helmet of salvation”, and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”.

1 Pet 2:9-11 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

Luke 11:34-36 “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.”

Rom 13:12-14 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

2 Cor 6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”