Lovers of Light

GETTING STARTED

Periodically I will see God’s truth resonate with someone for the very first time. It is as if the lights have been turned on and they realize how long they have fumbled around in darkness. Maybe they grew up in another religion or faith tradition and everyone in their family believed the exact same way. When the light comes on in their heart, I immediately see a struggle in their eyes. The tension is: If this is true and I receive it, then I am proclaiming that the rest of my family and all of my past was and is wrong. You can almost see them start weighing the price of new light of truth versus comfortable and safe darkness.

  • Is there an area of your life that if exposed would expose the deception and shame of “normal operation”?

READ THE WORD: JOHN 3:19-21 (ESV) 

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What is the “judgment” that Jesus spoke of in verse 19? Why do people love darkness rather than the light?
  2. The truth of the judgment creates two categories of people. How would you describe the person of verse 20 and the person of verse 21?
  3. To some the light of truth is a revelation, while to others it stands as a condemnation. Why? What precedes each?
  4.  From this text, is it possible to proclaim the revelation of the truth but to live consistently in the dark? Why or why not?

RESPOND TO GOD

When I think of the word judgment, it makes me think of a gavel dropping and a statement proclaimed based on the evidence presented. When the gavel of righteousness drops on your life one day and everything is exposed, what will be the verdict? Can others around you clearly determine if you are a verse 20 or verse 21 person?

  • Ask God what areas of your life still tend toward hiding in the darkness and avoiding exposure. Confess these things to God.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit about the evidence of your life, whether or not it points to Jesus and truth.
  • Praise God for the opportunity to confess and expose!