The Light that Brings Hope

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2

          The English Oxford Dictionary defines light as the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. Without light, we would not be able to see everything around us.

To fully appreciate light, one must experience darkness. To be truly thankful for the coming of dawn, one must endure the night.

          I think of those twelve boys trapped for nine days in that cave in Taiwan before they were found. Imagine total obscurity for days on end, when suddenly a light shines through the darkness. Anguish turns into elation. Despair transforms into hope. Help has finally arrived. The lost are found. Their story would have ended very differently had those rescuers not risked their own lives to save them.

          Our story would also end very differently had Christ, The Light of the world, not come to rescue us from spiritual darkness. Without Him, we would be lost forever. Light brings hope. Light always dispels darkness for light and obscurity cannot coexist. Where light enters, darkness must flee. There is no obscurity so deep light cannot conquer.

          Little did the people sleeping in Bethlehem that holy night understand that Jesus, The Light Isaiah had prophesied, The Light they had been waiting for, The Light they had been promised, had entered the world. Little did those who watched him grow up and live in their midst grasp that Hope walked among them. Little did those who saw his miracles, heard his message, then walked away, realize they were rejecting that life-saving Light.

Jesus is The Light that entered our world, dispelling the darkness of sin. In Him, we have guidance, hope, and salvation. Only He can rid us, once and for all, of the darkness of sin that resides in each human soul. Only He can offer the salvation we so desperately need.

I’m pretty sure none of those boys in that cave turned their backs on their rescuers. On the contrary, they knew those men were their only hope to come out of the darkness. They understood those rescuers were the only way they could be saved.

Have you accepted God’s gift of Light? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? If not, won’t you receive Him today?

Knowing God

            If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, I would encourage you to read the Scriptures below and pray the simple prayer of repentance at the end. The salvation God offers us is a gift. It’s simple, it’s permanent and it’s the result of God’s merciful grace. He offers it to you, the only condition being that you accept it.

1.     We have all sinned

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)

2.     Because of our sin, we cannot live in communion with God

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)

3.     God loved us so much, He sent his only son to die as the penalty for our sins.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV).

4.     We cannot gain our way into heaven. All God asks of us is that we accept his gift of grace.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

5.     Accept God’s gift of grace and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.

The jailer… asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:19-31

Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13.

           

            Pray with me. “Jesus, I acknowledge I am a sinner. I know that my sins keep me from enjoying fellowship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place. Please forgive my sins and help me live in a way that is pleasing to you. I accept your gift of grace and ask you to reign in my life as Lord and Savior from this day forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

            If you’ve prayed this prayer, then I welcome you into God’s family. You are now a child of God. I would encourage you to find a fellowship of believers where you can learn more about your wonderful heavenly Father and the grace he’s extended to you. Read your Bible and pray on a regular basis in order to grow in your faith and live a life that is pleasing to him.

            May God richly bless you as you begin a new life in Christ.