"From Darkness to Light"

  • Derek Staples
  • | Sep 1, 2008
  • | Series: Monday Morning Manna

"FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT"

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
(Colossians 1:11-14; ESV)

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1; ESV)

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16; ESV)

At the age of five we moved from Hammond, Indiana to a small, obscure town in Fordsville, Kentucky. The little farm house my father rented was way off the beaten path, down a long gravel road, and surrounded by nothing but woods. No more street lights for night playing. Now, this country would allow my siblings and me to explore, and let our imaginations expand. Our games changed. Hide-and-seek took on a whole new meaning. I thought I understood darkness at that moment. I was wrong!

Mammoth Cave is an impressive display of the marvelous handiwork of God. I vividly recall, while in elementary school, our class trip to visit the caves. We spent hours examining stalagmites and stalactites (I am still not sure what they are!). Finally, we traveled to the depths of the cave, gathered in a big group, and stood in utter silence as the lights were turned off. I thought I understood darkness at that moment. I was wrong!

Finally, in the depths of the cave, someone turned on a light. The darkness was erased and things became clear. I knew I needed the light and was thankful for the individual who threw the switch. Spiritually speaking, I am ever grateful for the One who "threw the switch."

Darkness in Scripture is a symbol associated with chaos, evil, ignorance, and destruction (Gen. 1:2; John 3:19; Eph. 6:12). It represents death and the underworld (Job 17:13; Isa. 5:30). Isaiah describes our pilgrimage prior to conversion as one of "walking in darkness."

John MacArthur says, "Before our salvation we were dominated by the evil world system, its wicked ruler, Satan, and our fallen sinful human nature. We were Christless, stateless, hopeless, and godless. Our minds were given to futility; our understanding was darkened. We were cut off from the life of God; we were ignorant, hard-hearted, callous, immoral, impure, and greedy. The only thing we were qualified to receive from God was his wrath."

And that is what we would have received if it were not for God's mercy toward us. God has by grace qualified the unqualified to share in the "inheritance of the saints in light." Literally, it means that we are now in the realm of light! It is both a present reality and a future reality. One day we will pass beyond the atmosphere, through the heavens as we understand them (beyond the stars), and into the presence of infinite brightness.

How? This is because God the Father "qualified" us for it! It is not due to anything we have done. It is all of him. We have been "delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. In other words, God threw the switch. He delivered us, rescued us, and drew us out of Satan's kingdom to himself. That event was the new birth.

The words "He delivered us" summarizes the entire process of Christ dying for our sins on the cross, rising and ascending to heaven, sitting at the right hand of the throne, making intercession for us, pouring His Holy Spirit into our hearts, and making us alive in Jesus Christ.

What is our response to God's marvelous provision? Jesus said, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Our deeds in this life are the fruit of a transferred, delivered life. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world!"

Shine! Shine by your words. Shine by your actions. Shine by your service. Shine by your love. SHINE! Shine in such a way every person you make contact with will "see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Make your Christian influence visible and obvious, not secret and hidden. Never camouflage your devotion to Christ. Shine! You are not a child of darkness anymore! God threw the switch! Praise and glorify Him!

Dr. Derek L. Staples

Senior Pastor