Light and Darkness
Two kingdoms are at war in this world: the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light.
Everyone was born into the kingdom of darkness. But some have been transferred from that kingdom into the Kingdom of Light.
It is interesting to me how we expect so much from those who still live in that kingdom of darkness.
We expect them to love what is right and protect it.
We expect them to treat others with kindness and respect and for that kindness and respect to endure the harshest treatments.
We expect them to not fall for the enemy's lies and believe that God's ways are not really the right way.
But, really, should we expect so much from those who are under the sway of the wicked one?
Should we be surprised when they embrace wickedness wholeheartedly?
"...The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19)
Do we really think the wicked one would sway the world in favor of God and His ways?
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"And why did [Cain] murder [Abel]? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
"Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:12-13
His reason for murdering his brother was so simple that it's surprising.
Just because there was a contrast between his brother's works and his own.
Something deep down inside the one chained in darkness wants the freedom that those in the light have, but the master that has them chained there has trained them to believe that the freedom we have is evil and the evil they are chained to is good.
So, they lash out at us.
So, they try to believe that the good they see in our lives is not really real.
So, they scrutinize us and try to find reason to believe we can't be all that we appear to be.
...But what if we are? What if our lives are consistent with what we claim to be?
And what if, in those moments, when we find ourselves hated by those in darkness, we surprise them with love?
What if, in those moments, when we receive backlash for the good things we do, we humbled ourselves and served them, returning good for their evil?
Don't you think that -just like that Roman Centurion who took part in Jesus' death, but awakened to His being the Son of God because of how unusually He was suffering- those who are spiritually dead might be awakened by your unusual response to their hatred and backlash?
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"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16
This verse has greatly helped me understand what it means to make Jesus known.
It is fanning the flames in your heart and letting the fire of the love of God and love for God burn in you... to the point that it is impossible to hide that you belong to Him and He belongs to you.
It is letting Him consume you so much that the world and its many allurements don't attract you anymore.
It is thinking so much about Him to the point that, no matter who is in front of you, He is your favorite topic of conversation.
It is letting Him permeate every aspect of your life so that you can't talk about any aspect of your life without talking about Him, and so that people can't look at any aspect of your life without seeing Him.
It is letting His heart and His desires change the way you see the world around you so that you become moved by His love for those you see, instead of your own feelings and thoughts.
"Let your light shine." Not, make it shine. Not, force it to be obvious. No... LET it shine.
That fire that was lit the day you were born anew into His family -feed that fire and let it consume you so that people don't see you without seeing His light burning in you.
Let that fire grow bright, so that others feel the burning love of God for them in you.
That way, those still in the kingdom of darkness will have an undeniable encounter with the Kingdom of Light.
Perhaps they will meet and come to know our Jesus whose love burns so brightly in us.
And perhaps He will loosen their chains and set them free because you have showed them what true freedom is.
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