0279. REJECTING THE LIGHT.

REJECTING THE LIGHT.

"This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (Joh_3:19).

As the Light of the world Jesus Christ was a great Teacher come from God.

I. A Joyful Announcement. "Light is come into the world," a light brighter than the sun.

1. What this Light is. It is the Light of Life (chap. Mat_1:4). This is no mere cold, shining moonlight. It is the warm, living, compassionate light of the life of Jesus (2Ti_1:10).

2. Where this Light has Come. "Into the world." "In Him was life," and He was in the world (chap. Mat_1:10). Into the place of darkness and death, to shed abroad the light of life (Joh_3:16).

3. What this Light Reveals. The revelation is twofold. The life of Christ, like the light of the sun, reveals His own hidden glory and power. The wisdom and love of the Father shine out in the Son. He is the image of the invisible God. It reveals, also, the true condition and destiny of man as an unclean and guilty sinner in His sight. The holiness of God and the awfulness of sin appear in eye-blinding brightness.

II. A Lamentable Condition. "Men love darkness rather than the light." What is the darkness? Just that place, or condition, where Christ is not. A Christ less life; they love-

1. The Darkness of Ignorance rather than the light of the knowledge of God as seen in the face of Jesus (2Co_4:6).

2. The Darkness of Sinful Pleasure rather than the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ (2Co_4:4).

3. The Darkness of Death rather than the light of life. This miserable choice reveals the depravity and perversity of man-a mind blinded by the god of this world.

III. A Sorrowful Reason. "Because their deeds were evil." Evil deeds lead to shame and confusion when suddenly brought into the light. The Holy Spirit has come to reprove the world of sin. At the shining of the light some confess their sin and forsake it. Others hug to their hearts their evil deeds, and deliberately hide their face from Heaven’s merciful light. The Light has come; the responsibility is now with those who reject it (1Ki_22:8).

IV. A Solemn Conclusion. "This is the condemnation." The condemnation will be just, because they loved the darkness. It is the wilful sinning for which there remaineth no more sacrifice (Heb_10:26). If a man turn away from the sun, and refuse its light, then he can never see any light more convincing. If the deep ocean of God’s mercy is reckoned too shallow to cover a man’s sins, then they can never be covered. The presumptuous soul shall be cut off (Num_15:30). While ye have the Light, believe in the Light. Yet a little while is the light with you. Has not Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life" (Joh_8:12).

Autor: James Smith