The Light Is Often Painful
2/4/2008
"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the
light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (Joh 3:20)
I am exactly like everyone else, so I know what I am talking about in this
post. We poor sinners do not like to have the light of the Scriptures turned,
into our souls.
Some of the Scriptures are o.k., for we pick and choose from them to fashion a
suit of clothes that makes us look pretty snappy. In this we are like
Huckleberry Finn. He decided that he would give up watermelon and persimmons
for Lent because "watermelons were out of season and persimmons ain't
never any good."
In other matters we don't mind being rascals, but we hope no-one finds out, and
if they do, we hope they won't tell anyone.
But God doesn't play our game. He looks on the heart and not on the outward
appearance. His word is a blinding light to those who chaff against it for
"it is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb 4:12)
In the last day, we will not be judged by what others think of us, or by the
reputation that we have carefully cultivated, or even by our own opinion of
ourselves. Jesus said it plainly, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day." (Joh 12:48) There should be no surprises
at the Day of Judgment, for the words of Christ have been before the world
since the beginning, for He is the one that not only spoke through the prophets
but came to speak to us plainly. We didn't like it, but crucified the Lord of
Glory, to our shame.
Neither will we be excused because we have had our feelings hurt and excuse
ourselves. The light hurts; the truth is painful; the salt that cleanses the
wound stings.
But it is better to face the truth now, than to face the fire of God's
indignation in the last day. As the apostle put it, "If we would judge
ourselves, we should not be judged." (1Co 11:31)
