Hello everyone.
In this blog post, we will discuss God’s actions of bringing physical light into the physical world, and, more importantly, His act of bringing the light of His character of love into our hearts.
In Genesis 1:1-4 we read;
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:1-4 (KJV)
These verses are, of course, talking about the beginning of the creation story. On the first day of the creation of the earth, God created light. We read also that “God divided the light from the darkness.”
The apostle Paul refers to this part of the creation story, when, under inspiration, he wrote:
“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
Physical darkness has its place. In Genesis 1:5, we read “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:5 (KJV)
While physical darkness that occurs at nighttime was created by God and provides the ideal circumstances in which sleep may take place, spiritual darkness was not created by God, and it brings no benefit to anyone.
The following verses show us that spiritual darkness is a negative thing. 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 6:23, and John 3:19-21
Going back to 2 Corinthians 4:6, we see that when God shines His light into our hearts, He gives us “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” What is the “glory of God?” God’s glory is His character. When God gives us “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” He is giving us an understanding of His character of love. (I wrote a blog post a few months back that explores the subject of God’s glory. )
This knowledge humbles us and, as we allow Jesus to help us to become like Him, we are aware that “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)
One of my favorite songs, currently, is “Jesus My Lord Will Love Me Forever.” One night when thoughts that were definitely associated with darkness rather than with light flooded my mind, I cried out to God for deliverance. God spoke to me…clearly…not in an audible voice, but clearly nonetheless. He brought to my mind the following words of a song I have known for some time:
“JESUS my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no power of evil can sever,
He gave His life to ransom my soul,
Now I belong to Him;
Chorus:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
As I have reviewed the rest of the lyrics of this song, I’ve come to realize what a powerful song “Jesus My Lord Will Love Me Forever” is.
“2
Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,
Jesus came down to bring me salvation,
Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,
Now I belong to Him;
Chorus:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
3
Joy floods my soul for Jesus has saved me,
Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me,
His precious blood He gave to redeem,
Now I belong to Him;
Chorus:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
738. Jesus my Lord will love me forever – Hymns and Spiritual Songs)
This song, written by Norman J. Clayton, states a powerful truth: when you belong to Jesus, you cannot belong to sin. Jesus shines His light, the light of His character of love, into our hearts, and He chases out sin. He is our Savior!
My prayer is that all of us will walk in God’s light and that as we behold Jesus’ loving character and ask Him to help us to become like Him, we will simultaneously find the beauties and joys of belonging to Jesus and the ugliness and horrors of being in slavery to sin. My prayer is that we would find ourselves living in victory over sin through Jesus’ strength. Matthew 1:20-21 (KJV)
I hope that you will take the time to listen to the powerful song: “Jesus My Lord Will Love Me Forever.”
Blessings to all.
Learn and Grow 4ever 