The Light That Overcomes the Darkness

There is a lot of chaos and uncertainty in our world today. We may try to ignore it, because there is something innate in us that desires the opposite: peace. But it’s to no avail, because it’s everywhere. If that makes you unsettled, let me offer you both a reason and a hope…

The bad things happening in the world are only physical manifestations of the activity of unseen spiritual forces. The Bible references a spiritual war: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood [other humans], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

The Ruler of Darkness

At the beginning of human history, the ruler of darkness convinced Adam and Eve to rebel against God’s command that was meant to protect them. Their disobedience ushered the power and presence of evil into all human hearts, and a corruption that has expanded to the rest of creation. Now, separated from God, the Source of all life, the only future is death. Because we are all born into a sin nature, we are born dead in spirit (see Ephesians 2:1).

“…through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12).

Sin is evident in the world. If not noticed in the rebelliousness of human hearts toward God, it can be seen in the evil done by their hands. It’s seen in sickness and dying, and death itself. The Bible says, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22). It’s waiting and longing to be saved from the terrible effects of sin and evil, for which we must constantly be on guard: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Without divine intervention, we are condemned to die and then to an eternity in Hell, which the Bible describes as eternal fire, “wailing and gnashing of teeth”, and ultimately, “everlasting destruction [separated] from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (see Matthew 18:8-9; Matthew 13:42; and 2 Thessalonians 1:9). This is our destination as long as our spirits remain infected with sin, and thus we remain separated from God, who is holy.

The Light of the World

But there is great hope! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, to achieve victory over the power of sin and death. Those who currently walk according to the prince of the power of the air (see Ephesians 2:2) can be rescued, as so many have testified: “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us … raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Jesus came to earth in human form – becoming like us – to die for our sin, in our place, so that we need no longer fear the power of sin and death.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-17).

While Adam, through his rebellion, earned the punishment of death, the Bible tells us that through Jesus Christ, God does not give us what we earned, or deserve, but He gives us a great gift:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“…the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:15-17).

Jesus Christ not only died to take away the guilt of our sin, He also rose from the grave and lives eternally to intercede for us and to live in and through us with His life-giving Spirit. Through a spiritual rebirth, He gives us the power to turn from sin and to live righteous lives.

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:8-11).

Jesus Christ came to rescue us from the darkness of sin and death, and the powers that reign in those realities. Jesus proclaimed: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

When you trust in Jesus Christ, you are brought into a right relationship with God, and “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Jesus came to deliver you from the power of darkness and to bring you into His kingdom where you will find redemption and forgiveness. You will be promised an eternal home in Heaven, from where the effects of sin and darkness will be banished forever, because you will be in the very presence of God:

“God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Complete and final victory over this war for your soul can be achieved, starting right now. Trust in Jesus Christ today – receive forgiveness and cleansing. Let His Light chase away the darkness, and let Him arm you with all you need to fight the power of evil and stand strong until it comes time for Him to take you home:

“Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13-17).

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).