REJECTING THE LIGHT

John 3:19

Morning Meditation 2/16/2013

John 3:19, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

A JOYFUL ANNOUNCEMENT

“…Light is come into the world” This is speaking of Jesus for He is the light. John 8:12, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

What is this light? It is the Light of Life. 2 Timothy 1:10, "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

We notice next where the light has come “Into the world.” ”The world has witnessed the light.” It is responsible to respond to the light. The Church has been given to take the gospel (Light) to the whole world. Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

THE LAMENTABLE CONDITION

“Men loved darkness rather than light” The darkness is a Christless life. The darkness is man’s response to the Light.

Man is living in the darkness of ignorance. 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." The light exposes that ignorance. When man stands before God in the final judgment he will be without excuse.

Man is living in the darkness of sinful pleasure. 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

Moses made the right decision: Hebrews 11:24-26, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Moses made a choice and we must do the same.

THE SORROWFUL REASON

“Because their deeds were evil.” Sin has a blinding effect upon man’s judgment. At the shining of the Light some confess their sins and are gloriously saved. Others reject the light and live in darkness.

“This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light” Man is by nature a sinner. He is a fallen creature in the person of Adam. He inherits Adams’s sin nature. Romans 5:12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

A SOLEMN CONCLUSION

“This is the condemnation” Man is under the penalty of death.

Jesus came to expose that darkness and offers man salvation by grace. According to our text man chooses to stay in self denial rather than repent of his sins and believe the gospel.

It is through the light that we discover where we came from, why we are here and where we are going.

Dr. Bob Jones Says, “Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.”

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts

In Christ

Bro. White