Year of Exposure Day 14: Only the light of the Lord dispels deception.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Most Christians are familiar with John 3:16&17.

“"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

However, we may not be as familiar with what Jesus said immediately following these scriptures.

““There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.””

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus makes clear that those who do not come to Him, choosing rather to walk in darkness, have brought judgment upon themselves.

Indeed, Jesus offers a way out of darkness, but those who refuse the way out, remain in darkness, and therefore remain under judgment.

John gives us insight as to why so many who did believe what He was saying, did not come to His light.

“Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭42‬-‭43‬ ‭ESV‬‬

John shares with us that many of the people who did believe Jesus’s, chose not to come to Him, loving more the things of this world, he shares this account of what Jesus said about His mission:

“And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭44‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We again see Jesus say that He came to bring light. And again, those who choose not to walk in that light, remain under judgment.

Walking into the light Jesus offers, believing in Him, obeying His word, gives access to the only way to recognize deception when it comes along.

But, as we see in the above scriptures, there are people who see the light, but choose to stay in darkness.

In our opening scripture, we see a little more of the passage associated with yesterday’s opening scripture.

We see in our opening scripture Paul reinforcing the truth that some choose darkness.

We also see that those who choose to walk into the life of Jesus Christ, are given His light.

Paul then gives a stern warning about the danger of not continuing to walk in that light. And, it is those who choose to stay in the dark—or choose to retreat back into darkness—who become victims of deception.

Finally, child of God, I employ the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“. . . come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬b ESV‬‬

Only in doing so, will we avoid being victims of deception.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!