Light – Page 2 – Word for the Soul

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14, 16a NLT

There are deep divisions in the world in which we live. We have come to notice it more in recent years due to the political landscape of our day, but divisions have always been throughout millenniums. The bottom line is all the divisions in the world stem from one source, one’s belief or non-belief in the creator of all things. Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Lk. 11:23 nlt) It is easy to see from Jesus’ words, why there is so much division between people, nations, communities, and all the religions of the world. Jesus’ words are divisive, and in today’s world divisiveness is not tolerated. The world is to be united.

The apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth they are the temple of God. Every individual in Christ is a temple of the living God. He stresses God’s temple cannot be in union with the religions of the world (idols). In the same way, Christians (God’s temple) cannot be in union with those who oppose God by living contrary to His teachings in Scripture. Christians are not to be supportive of legislation enacted that violates God’s moral laws, but we are to pray for all those in authority. Paul again writing to Timothy says, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1Tim. 2:1-2 nlt)

Christians are to be a beacon of light in a dark world, always being careful not to have our light dimmed by sin in our lives, but to live righteously. Christians are also to be careful not to alienate ourselves from others. We are to live in the world but not be part of it. (Ro.12:2) The command from Christ to tell others about Him cannot be realized if we isolate ourselves. The world must see the temple of the living God in our lives. It is a delicate balance, but scripture points to the fact no union is possible with those outside of Christ no matter how much the desire for unity.

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT – The Temple of the Living God – Don’t – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Turn the light on and be careful you don’t fall

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV

As a child growing up, I can recall my mother giving a warning as I would either descend or ascend a flight of stairs. She would say, “Turn the light on, and be careful you don’t fall.” My wife gives me that same warning today. The common thread in both their warnings is their love for me and not wanting to see me fall resulting in injury. I’m thankful to the Lord for my mother who loved me all her days and for my wife who loves me still and cares for me.

In the same way, the Lord God loves and cares for each of us. He does not want us to stumble or fall in our walk in this life. It is very easy to do so, even for most Christians, with all of the temptations of a dark world without a light to expose the dangers. God has given us all we need to walk securely and confidently without falling if we read it, study it, and obey it; it is His Word to us, the Bible.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105 kjv) In ancient days, Middle Eastern towns had no fixed lamps for lighting. One who was travelling at night would need a hand torch or a lantern to light the way and only one step or two at a time. Careful observation of what the light revealed guided the traveler and kept him from dangers in his path on the road. Each step taken enabled the traveler safe passage to his destination without harm.

Christians we go through life in a dark world, and we need the light of God’s Word to light the way. Taking one step at a time with the light He gives us, the Lord guides us through the dangers of hidden influences and encourages us to live righteously in Christ Jesus. Let us all heed the warning from all those who love us; turn the light on and be careful you don’t fall.

Devotionals

The Morning Light from Heaven

April 2, 2024March 29, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 NLT

During the last few weeks, since daylight savings time began, the rising of the sun has coincided with my wake-up time. Of course that will change as the days get longer, but nevertheless as I walk from the bedroom into the dining room the sun is shining brightly on the wall through the living room window. As I was reading Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke chapter 1 the other day, I couldn’t help but reflect on my recent morning light experiences. “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us.” (Lk. 1:78 nlt) The morning light of the sun is indeed from heaven for it is God’s creation and it is sure to break upon us every day. But Zechariah’s prophecy was not concerning the morning light from the sun, but the Son, Jesus the Son of God.

Zechariah’s prophecy followed the birth of son, John the Baptist. He praised the Lord God of Israel for sending the savior, Jesus Christ. “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.” (Lk. 1:68-70 nlt) Zechariah knew his son John was to be the forerunner to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.” (Lk. 1:76 nlt)

The prophecy concludes as Zechariah encourages those who sit in darkness that the morning light is about to break through. Perhaps you’re sitting in darkness this day. The morning light from heaven, Jesus Christ, is ready to break upon you if you look to Him to give you the light of His salvation.

Read: Luke 1:67-79 NLT – Zechariah’s Prophecy – Then his – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Your own light will not dispel your darkness

February 29, 2024February 28, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.” Isaiah 50:10-11 NLT

Most people have a favorable opinion of themselves. We tend to see ourselves as basically good with only a few flaws which all of us have. There aren’t too many who would say they are walking in darkness. But if you are a true Christian, you know that you have walked in darkness. Ephesians 5:8 says, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” (NLT) Those who have accepted Christ as savior walked in darkness of unforgiven sin and separation from God until they saw the light of Christ dispel their darkness. Paul confirms this in Colossians 1:13 when he says, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.” (NLT)

The temptation to create your own light, either by acts of self-righteousness denying God, or observing laws of man-made religions, may make you feel good and secure, but it leads to great torment. The prophet Isaiah writing what God revealed to him wrote, “But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.” (Is. 50:11 NLT) The Lord God graciously gives us an invitation for salvation by trusting in Him and warning us that any effort to create our own light and fires to illuminate the way to God will end in eternal torment. There is only one way to dispel your darkness, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Eph. 2:8-9 NLT)

It’s time to dispel your favorable opinion of yourself because your own light will not dispel your darkness. But the true light has come as John proclaimed, “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (Jn. 1:9, 12 NLT)