Light and Darkness (Part 5 of 5) by Kenneth E. Thomas
(http://www.gospelanchor.com/)
The Contrast Between Light and Darkness (concluded)
When we submit to the will of Christ and no longer participate
in error or immorality, etc., our righteous life chaffs on these
former associates of ours. In fact the life of righteous Noah
is said to have "condemned the world of the ungodly"
around him. Actually, it wasn't anything that Noah did that condemned
the ungodly world, it was their own unrighteousness and sinful
lifestyles, when compared to that of righteous Noah of whom it
was said, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
...Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah
walked with God" (Genesis 6:8-9). When the Hebrew writer
gave the list of what many have called "the hall of fame
of the heroes of faith," found in the eleventh chapter of
that book, righteous obedient Noah is found among them. The record
takes us back to the days before the great flood and tells us
how Noah conducted himself before God: "By faith Noah, being
divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear,
prepared an ark for the saving of his house-hold, by which he
condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which
is according to faith" (Hebrews 11:7). The apostle Peter
also makes reference to Noah and compares our salvation today
when we as penitent believers obey Christ in baptism for the remission
of sins which saves us, to the physical salvation of Noah and
his family in the ark long ago. He wrote: "...when once the
longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark
was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls (people
ket) were saved through water. There is also an antitype which
now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21).
Earlier in his epistle the apostle Peter wrote to Christians:
"...you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who
had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I
beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts
which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among
the Gentiles (nations ket), that when they speak against you as
evil doers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify
God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:9-12).
Such admonitions are only further instruction to do as Christ
taught during His earthly sojourn when He reminded His disciples
that: "You are the light of the world...and should ...let
your light so shine before men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16). The
Master said that His disciples are to have a savoring effect on
the world in which we live. We should create a thirst for righteousness
in others by our lifestyles and should illuminate the way to Christ.
Some Ways We May Be Light & Salt In The World
1. By truly showing biblical love for one another as Christians:
"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is
in darkness until now" (1 John 2:9).
2. By being a good father or mother: (1 Timothy 1:5)
3. By being a good son or daughter: (Ephesians 6:1-2)
4. By being a good neighbor: (Luke 10:29-37)
5. By being a good employer: (James 5:1-4)
6. By being a good employee: (2 Thessalonians 3:6-14)
7. By living a godly moral lifestyle: (Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians
6:9-10)
8. By being a good citizen: (Romans 13:1-8)
9. By being a good member of the local church of Christ: (Ephesians
4:11-16).
10. By being a good aunt, uncle, cousin: Someone is watching you.
(1 Tim. 4:12b).
There are many more areas of work, worship, organization and service
where we must continue to "walk in the light" to keep
our proper relationship with the Godhead and with others of "like
precious faith." I shall save those other areas for yet another
lesson. Let me bring this to a close by injecting what the apostle
John wrote about our subject:"...that which we have seen
and heard we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship
with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with
His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write to you that your joy
may be full. This is the message which we heard from Him and declare
to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If
we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness,
we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, (God
and I ket) and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from
all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
(1 John 1:3-9).
As anyone can plainly learn from the above passages, fellowship
with God, Christ, the Apostles and all others who are in fellowship
is predicated on one's willingness to walk in the light. Howbeit,
even then ours is an imperfect walk as can be seen for there are
still some sins needing to be cleansed by the blood of Christ
as we repent, confess and pray as may be learned from the above
and from additional passages (Acts 8:22-24; James 5:16, etc.).
The question each of us needs to ask and answer in total honesty
is, "Am I really walking in the light?" We may know
we know Him and that we have eternal life (in promise-prospect-and
in hope ket), if we believe on Him and if we are keeping His commandments"
(1 John 5:11-15). "Now he who keeps His commandments abides
in Him, and He in him" (1 John 3:24). "For this is the
love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments
are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that had overcome the world-our
faith" (1 John 5:3-4).
The Hebrew writer sums it up for us, showing that walking by faith
is to be obedient unto the end and not to draw back. " Beware,
Brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief
in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily,
while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of
Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast
to the end, while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His
voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. For who,
having heard rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of
Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was
it not with them who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest.
But to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter
in because of unbelief"(Hebrews 3:12-19). Disobedience here
as well as elsewhere in scripture is parallel with unbelief. This
is why the bible teaches over and over that we are saved by faith
(Romans 5:1-2; 8:24). This faith by which we are saved is always
an obedient faith, a working faith (Hebrews 11; James 1:18-25;
James 2:14-26; Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 7:13-29). Are you a true believer?
Only if you are "walking in the light."
PSALM 119
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
PE. (Ps 119:129-136).
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful [literally, "wonders,"
that is, of moral excellence.]: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance [literally, "opening"; God's words,
as an open door, let in light, or knowledge. Rather, as HENGSTENBERG
explains it, "The opening up," or, "explanation
of thy word." To the natural man the doors of God's Word
are shut. Lu 24:27, 31; Ac 17:3; Eph 1:18, confirm this view,
"opening (that is, explaining) and alleging," &c.]
of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
[those needing or desiring it (compare Ps 19:7).]
[131-135. An ardent desire (compare Ps 56:1, 2) for spiritual
enlightening, establishment in a right course, deliverance from
the wicked, and evidence of God's favor is expressed.]
131 I opened my mouth, and panted [as a traveler in a hot desert
pants for the cooling breeze (Ps 63:1; 84:2).]: for I longed for
thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me [opposed to hiding or averting the face
(compare Ps 25:15; 86:6; 102:17).], and be merciful unto me, as
thou usest to do [or, "as it is right in regard to those
who love Thy name." Such have a right to the manifestations
of God's grace, resting on the nature of God as faithful to His
promise to such, not on their own merits.] unto those that love
thy name.
133 Order my steps [Make firm, so that there be no halting (Ps
40:2).] in thy word: and let not any iniquity [-- Ps 119:34 favors
HENGSTENBERG, "any iniquitous man," any "oppressor."
But the parallel first clause in this (Ps 119:33) favors English
Version (Ps 19:13). His hope of deliverance from external oppression
of man (Ps 119:34) is founded on his deliverance from the internal
"dominion of iniquity," in answer to his prayer (Ps
119:33).] have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy
precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy
statutes.
any iniquity
[136. Zealous himself to keep God's law, he is deeply afflicted
when others violate it (compare Ps 119:53). Literally, "Mine
eyes come down (dissolved) like water brooks" (La 3:48; Jer
9:1).]
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because [&c. (Compare
Eze 9:4; Jer 13:17).] they keep not thy law.
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