Tag Archives: darkness

2 BY THE WAY…IN THE BEGINNING

Bible Study, ,

The story of God and people is a circle…beginning, in Genesis 1, first with a mess, 

“The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT

…then with a garden…and  fruit trees… 

“Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

…and, after millennia of sorting out the mess…concluding, in Revelation 22, where Genesis began, with a city and a river…and fruit trees!

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

However, Genesis 1 is not the record of creation. It’s the story of restoration…and preparation. It breaks into something that was already there…a planet, strangely sinister in its description…shapeless…desolate…empty…ruined…dark. The Hebrew words describe a place of destruction and death. 

Why was this planet, which was obviously a part of God’s creation, since only God can make a planet, in such a ruined state? Was it still in the process of being formed or was it created perfect but ruined by an opposing force in the universe? It’s not for us to know. 

We know one thing…God had a very special plan for this piece of useless matter floating in a sea of nothingness. So, He set the clock going from zero…day one… and got to work. 

The Hebrew words chosen to describe what God did say less about the process and more about His purpose…to replace chaos with order…to prepare a perfect place for His forever family…to fill it up with everything necessary for human life. 

What the translators tell us about what God “created” is actually describing how God “filled” the earth with every form of life. The word “bara” (create) has another meaning…and one that seems more appropriate than “create” or “made” in this context.  It can also mean “to make fat”. 

Consider this verse…God speaking to Eli…the old priest in Israel…

“Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves (the Hebrew word is “bara”) on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God judged Eli and his sons because the sons dishonoured Him by becoming fat on the choice parts of the sacrifices belonging to God.   

Is it possible, then, that Genesis 1 describes, not what God made…since the earth, in its original form, already existed…but what the earth became when He lit it up with Himself and filled it up with vegetation and creatures as the perfect place for His children?

Whatever caused the darkness and chaos was replaced with light, order, and a physical creation filled up with what pleased Him. When His work complete, it was a perfect planet in harmonious coexistence with a functional universe, fully prepared and awaiting the formation of His masterpiece. This “Adam”, this man made of dust, would be a reflection of Himself…fashioned to manage…to work with Him and for Him on this perfect, beautiful ball in space. 

The man God planned was not merely spoken into existence as were the plants and creatures of the land, water, and air. He was put together, piece by piece, according to the blueprint of the Son of God Himself. We know that creation was the work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Put Genesis 1 and John 1 together, and we have the Master Craftsmen at work to fashion this crown of God’s handiwork. 

The first man was fashioned from dust…from the elements of the earth…a clay model of Jesus in His earthly form. He was inextricably joined to God by the breath of God that gave him life. He became a living being, both Hebrew words for “image” and “likeness” conveying the idea of a shadow resembling God, not the real thing but a being who resembled God in a limited way. 

The implications are clear. Man was not God but…his resemblance to God, first, separated him from the rest of creation. He was not the pinnacle of animal flesh, nor did he morph upward from animals.  He was separate, different, unique! 

Second, he could do what no animal could do. He could commune with his Creator. He could have fellowship with his Creator… listen, talk, and understand, through language, his mind, his thoughts, his ability to reason, the thoughts of God. Infinite as His Creator was and finite as the man was, they were connected because God’s life (“ruach”… breath…Spirit) was in him. 

The distance between man and animals is clearly illustrated by Adam’s aloneness despite the creatures around him. 

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” …So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found…Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬, ‭20‬, ‭22‬-23NIV‬‬

This is the beautiful story of God’s intention…God’s intervention…the blueprint for His perfect creation…to share His world, His love, and His life…with beings who could love Him freely in return, and co-exist with Him in perfect harmony under His benevolent rule…until…

…one of His own creation…a heavenly being…interfered with God’s plan, re-introduced the mess…and set the scene for millennia of struggle between Himself and His own chosen people…

…until…His own Son came to earth, born of the human race, clothed in the same flesh He created in the beginning, lived the perfect life He intended for His human offspring, and died the death God never intended for His children. 

Jesus closed the circle, set the plan back on track, and finished what He started…a new race…a renewed family…redeemed from slavery to sin…transferred from Satan’s dominion to His own kingdom of peace, justice, and truth…and in the process of being restored to His image. 

That’s the story of creation, and re-creation…the story of the Bible…your story…my story…and God’s story…a story of mercy, grace, and power which continues and will continue until the circle is finally closed. 

THE HEALING POWER OF LIGHT – 1

Christian Life,

three words, the Apostle John made a profound statement…

1 John 1:5 NLT
[5] “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: GOD IS LIGHT, and there is no darkness in him at all.”

GOD IS LIGHT.

These three words have great significance for our understanding of God.

After God had created the heavens and the earth, the earth was initially a shapeless ball – dark, mysterious, creepy, and sinister. The Hebrew words that describe the earth before God prepared it for human habitation, “tohu” meaning formless, desolate, a wasteland; “bohu”, meaning empty, an indistinguishable ruin; and the outcome, “chosek”, meaning darkness, misery, destruction, death… together give us a picture of desolation and ruin.

Is this what God created the earth to be? Rather, this is what the earth became after sinister forces had brought about the earth’s desolation and ruin. Is this perhaps the result of Satan’s fall and subsequent banishment to the earth? It could be.

God is light! To restore the earth, His first action was to bring light into the situation. What is light?

Meta AI has a fascinating explanation of some of the aspects of light. For example, Meta said…

“Light is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has been studied and debated by scientists and philosophers for centuries. Here’s a brief overview:

What is Light?
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which is a type of energy that can travel through space. It is characterized by its wavelength, frequency, and intensity.

Properties of Light

  1. “Electromagnetic wave”: Light is a wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
  2. “Frequency and wavelength”: Light’s frequency and wavelength determine its color and energy.
  3. “Speed”: Light travels at approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s) in a vacuum.
  4. “Intensity”: Light’s intensity determines its brightness.

Types of Light

  1. “Visible light”: The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye (approximately 380-740 nanometers).
  2. “Invisible light”: Forms of electromagnetic radiation that are not visible to the human eye, such as ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and X-rays.
  3. “Polarized light”: Light that has its electric field oscillating in a specific plane.
  4. “Coherent light”: Light that has a fixed phase relationship between its waves, such as laser light….

Applications of Light

  1. “Vision”: Light enables us to see the world around us.
  2. “Communication”: Light is used in fiber optic communication, allowing for fast and reliable data transfer.
  3. “Energy”: Light is used in solar panels to generate electricity.
  4. “Medicine”: Light is used in medical treatments, such as photodynamic therapy and laser surgery.”

Wow! That’s amazing. Light is much more than something that enables us to see. Light is a power, an energy that does things.

Now let’s apply this brief description of light to God’s first words,

Genesis 1:3 NLT
[3] “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

What happened? God didn’t just turned the lights on to light up a messed-up earth. He introduced a powerful energy and function that was of Himself…light, and that dispelled the darkness by acting on the earth.

Now, let’s look at what John recorded about Jesus.

John 1:4, 9 NLT
[4]”The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone…
[9] The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

Then… God Himself, in the person of His Son, entered the world. He brought life and healing with His light, the energy that exposed and dispelled the darkness by restoring the earth’s function and even the functions of human bodies

So, Jesus also came to implement the power of God’s light to bring healing and renewal to everyone who received Him, the Light. His light with its energy and power to restore, comes into the spirits of all who believe in Him, to renew what darkness, in the form of dark forces, has destroyed.

John 1:12 NIV
[12] “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—… “

Jesus Himself claimed the role of light…

John 8:12 NLT
[12] “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

If “darkness” represents the ruin and desolation Satan visits on those who have not been exposed to the life-giving and healing power of God’s light, then “light” is the power that effects healing, restoration, and life to those who receive Him. God is both light and the source of light. His light shines through His Word, His Son, to expose our darkness and reveal the truth about Jesus that saves us from the effects of darkness.

Satan works hard to prevent God’s light from shining in hearts darkened by sin.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
[4] “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

However, those who believe the message open themselves to the saving and healing power of the light.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT
[6]”For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Through God’s Word, all the facets and functions of light work in us to restore His image.

Psalms 119:130 NIV
[130]”The unfolding (entrance) of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

God’s method of shining His light in us is through His Word.

Psalms 119:105 NIV
[105] “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

So, through God’s light, operating in our hearts, bringing faith in His Word, works healing, restoration and new life inside us. In a process called “sanctification”, we are being made holy, transformed into the image of Jesus, reversing the effects of Adam’s fall from obedience and trust in God which resulted in condemnation and death, to submission and obedience to His will and way.

The principle of the power of light to reverse the process of sin in our hearts has implications for us in our bodies as well as in our spirits which I will explain in the next post.

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 23

Bible Study, ,

Hebrews 12:18-21 NIV
[18] “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; [19] to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, [20] because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” [21] The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

How awesomely frightening is the description of Israel’s meeting with God at Mount Sinai! Even Moses, who been with God and spoken with Him face to face on this mountain many times, was shaking with fear. This was a side of God he had never seen in those times that he had gone up the mountain to converse and commune with Him. Even his meeting with God at the burning bush did not affect him as did this occasion when He came down to cut covenant with His people.

Why did God pull out all the stops to reveal His majestic glory to His people? Did He want them to experience the full fury of His holiness and power so that they would have no doubts about the nature of the one who was calling them into covenant with Himself? It seems that He came to them in physical manifestations that would forever imprint on them the grandeur of this God in contrast to the gods of Egypt that they had chosen to worship.

Tragically, they quickly forgot the terrifying plagues that obliterated all the so-called power of their fertility gods. They wanted gods that they could see and feel and touch. They wanted gods like themselves that they could understand and manipulate to suit their demands!

The God who had chosen them as His treasured possession was incomprehensible. They could not push Him around, or call the shots. He, not they, was God and they must understand this, once and for all. They must know that He required unquestioning obedience in return for which He would treat them with unfailing faithfulness.

This God whose presence, if not form, was so vastly different from the gods they had known in Egypt that they could only submit, if only temporarily, to His unseen presence and His covenant requirements. However, these same people, who stood at the base of the mountain and felt the hot breath of their God in their faces, could say, in one moment…

Exodus 19:8 NIV
[8]… “We will do everything the Lord has said.”

…and, in the next, demanded…

Exodus 32:1 NIV
[1]…“Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

How is it possible for people to be so fickle?

Our writer had to remind those Jewish believers who were tempted to retreat into Judaism to avoid persecution, that they would be taking a backward step from forgiveness and grace, from celebration and joy, into the darkness and uncertainty of strict laws and an uncompromising Law Giver who would never condone disobedience and failure.

Which scenario would they prefer? They had once been alongside those who had trembled with fear at Mount Sinai. They had felt the fear of failure and the threat of divine judgment. They had known the weight of a guilty conscience and the uncertainty of not knowing whether they had done enough to satisfy their God’s demands.

They had also felt the relief of forgiveness and the power of new life in Christ. Did they really want to go back into the old way of burdensome laws and rituals?

So, they should reflect on the choice they were tempted to make. They were once participants of the terror of Mount Sinai. Now they were among those who enjoyed the wonder of Mount Zion, the city of God, where all the hosts of heaven and the redeemed children of God are gathered together to celebrate the grace and mercy of God through Christ.

With which gathering do you identify?

JESUS SAID – 6

Bible Study, ,

John 3:18-19 NLT
[18] “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [19] And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but PEOPLE LOVED THE DARKNESS more than the light, for their actions were evil.”

Have you ever wondered why so many people hate God and run from Him? Some have even made themselves believe that there is no God! So, they hate and run from someone who doesn’t exist! Now that’s strange!

This shows me that even atheists know that God is real but won’t admit it because they want to sin! They conveniently believe, against what is indelibly written on their hearts from birth,

Ecclesiastes 3:11b NLT
[11] “He has planted eternity in the human heart…”

… that when they die, they cease to exist.

So, for them, sinning doesn’t matter because there is no God, no accountability, and no judgment.

Psalms 14:1 NIV
[1] “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God (for me – understood).” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

However, for these people, it’s okay to believe what is not true as long as they are willing to accept the consequences.

Now, let’s look at the real reason Jesus said people hate God or want to believe that there is no God.

“… People loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.”

The bottom line is that people will always follow what they love. This is a truth that applies everywhere and on every level in life.

For example, what about our use or abuse of money? We master money or money masters us by who or what we love.

Luke 18:18, 20-25 NLT
[18] Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
[20] But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” [21] The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” [22] When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [23] But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. [24] When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! [25] In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Matthew 6:24 NLT
[24] “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

In the end, we decide where we will spend all of eternity, not by what we say or what we do but by what we love! Isn’t that amazing? We demonstrate what we love by what we say and do. God’s judgment is so just that He allows us to be our own judge.

Proverbs 8:13 NIV
[13] “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

How can we become lovers of God more than the lovers of money or anything else?

There is only one way. The Holy Spirit in us draws us to the love of God when we spend time contemplating God’s love for us.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
[5] “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

Our love for God is our response to His love for us.

1 John 4:10, 13, 19 NIV
[10] “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…
[13] This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit…
[19] We love because he first loved us.”

Our love for God then, motivates us towards obedience and submission to Him. Jesus’ interaction with Peter after Peter’s denial reveals the core of our trust in and obedience to Him.

John 21:15 NIV
[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

The Apostle Paul testified…

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV
[14] “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

So, we must all answer this question, “Who or what do you love the most?” In this context, our words and deeds will provide the answer.

LIGHT OR DARKNESS? – 15a

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 5:8, 11, 14 NLT‬
[8] “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!..
[11] Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them….
[14] for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Since the Hebrew people did not understand life in abstract concepts, (expressed in their language), we must understand the meaning of the symbols, ‘darkness’ and ‘light’, from their perspective.

Hebrew people would have asked, not, “What are the properties of light?” but, “What does light do?” Light reveals and exposes. Light shows us what is around us but it also exposes what darkness hides.

God is light, and the source of light. Whatever God is and whatever comes from Him, flows from His character. We know that God is good. Therefore, light must be connected to His goodness. Light for us, then, would refer to the qualities of goodness that, in His children, reflect who He is.

‭Genesis 1:3-5 NLT‬
[3] “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.”

‭John 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4]” The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Natural light came from God in the beginning, separating day from night, but natural light also symbolises something more. Let’s look again at Genesis 1:4.

What is this ‘light’ to which Genesis and John refer? Since the sun, moon, and stars were only created on the 4th day, light in Genesis 1:4 must mean more than mere physical light.

In his prologue to his gospel, John picks up the theme, describing the Son, Jesus, as God’s instrument for bringing ‘light’ into the darkness in the world, adding the dimension of enlightenment.

So, how can we understand the meaning of this symbol of ‘light’ that Paul uses in Ephesians 5?

Many verses in the Old Testament give us clarity. Psalm 119, in particular, is full of references to God’s Word as the source of our ‘light’, our understanding.

‭Psalms 119:130 NIV‬
[130] “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

‘Simple’ here can mean ‘open-minded’.

Psalms 119:105 NLT‬
[105] Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

In God’s Word, we find our source of knowledge and understanding for living lives that reflect the nature and character of God. The Bibles tells us, who God is, who we are, and what we need to live clean lives by obeying His Word.

‭Psalms 119:1-3 NLT‬
[1] Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. [2] Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. [3] They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

‭Psalms 119:9 NLT‬
[9] How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

‭Psalms 119:35 NLT‬
[35] Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

God’s Word is also truth.

‭John 17:17 NLT‬
[17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

‭1 John 1:7 NLT‬
[7] But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Since Jesus is God’s Word in person, He always, only, ever lived in obedience to God’s Word.

‭John 8:28-29 NIV‬
[28] “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

His life on earth shows us how to live in the light, and His Spirit gives us the power to do so.

John 8:12 NLT‬
[12]”Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4]”The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

In simple terms, then, with Jesus as our model, and the Holy Spirit as our source of power, we can live by the instructions in God’s Word rather that by our sinful desires.

Once we understand the meaning and source of the light by which we are to live, we can get to grips with the meaning of ‘darkness’.

Physical darkness is not the opposite of light as though darkness has a physical source as does light. Darkness is the absence of light. When we remove the source is light, we have darkness.

So also, when Jesus is absent from people and their behaviour, their lives display darkness, all the wickedness and evil that darkness hides.

Paul urged his readers, then, to live their lives in line with the teachings of God’s Word (with Jesus as their model and mentor). In this way, their lives would expose the wickedness of those who don’t live by the Word.

‭Ephesians 5:1, 2 NLT‬
[1] Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
[2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

‭Ephesians 5:7-11 NLT‬
[7]”Don’t participate in the things these people do. [8] For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. [10] Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [11] Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

Once again, we must remember that Paul was writing to ex-pagans who once lived in the darkness of sin without Jesus. The message Paul brought them enlightened them to the cause and consequences of their wickedness, and gave them the only solution that would free them from sin and death. Their new lives of obedience to Jesus were the evidence that they were new people inside.

So, live in the light!