Scripture: John 3:18-21 (NIV) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
Background: Jesus is sounding like C.S. Lewis as He examines the thinking and the patterns of logic as to why a person would rather not be "saved." People love spiritual darkness, because they are addicted to sin. John Calvin referred to this problem as the total depravity of man. Everyone knows someone who loves the darkness, because there is a little bit of that nature in all of us. We used to have a little Yorkshire Terrier that would come home from being bathed, brushed and clipped--and as soon as she went outside she would find the smelliest, grossest, dirtiest thing that she could roll in. (One time it was a dead bird filled with maggots) Does that sound like us?
Observations: The question needs to be asked, is a life entrenched in darkness better than a life living in the light? You would think that the answer to this question would be an emphatic, elf-evident "yes." However, for some people--people that we all know and care about--they are addicted to the works of the flesh and have not yet come to their senses. In the story commonly called the Prodigal Son, the son left home in search of excitement. He lived life in the fast lane until he ran out of money. He spiraled lower and lower until he was destitute and had the the job of feeding slop to the pigs. When the pig slop started to look good to him, he came to his senses and returned home. This is our hope, that those lost in darkness will come to their senses and head towards the better life that is found living in the light.
Prayer: Father, I will forever be grateful that You saved me and brought me out of the darkness into Your wonderful light. I know that life with You is better than it ever was before I knew You. I am convinced that one day in your courts is better than thousands elsewhere. Use me this day to love someone that doesn't know you. Use me this day to shine Your light. Use me this day to encourage the heart of someone who needs You. Where I lack love and passion for those that don't know You, cause me to be poor in spirit that I might love more.
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