COMING INTO THE LIGHT
"Many also of those who were now believers came making full confession and thoroughly exposing their [former deceptive and evil] practices" (Acts 19:18 AMP)
When Jesus revealed Himself as the "Light," He talked about the responses that would occur at His presence: "the Light is come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil [Isaiah 5:20]. For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the light and will not come out into the light, but shrinks from it, lest his works--his deeds, his activities, his conduct--be exposed and reproved. But he who practises truth--who does what is right--comes into the light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are, wrought with God--divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence on Him" (John 3:19-21).
The Spirit of Christ had transformed these once workers of darkness into children of the Light. They responded by confession of their sins and literally, destroyed the means by which they had previously and wickedly prospered. God's presence, welcomed in our lives, gives us the same distaste and abhorrence of sin as our Father has. His Holy Spirit within us brings to us conviction of right and wrong and revelation of the reality that God will judge all mankind's deeds. With this action of devotion by those who believed, the Word of the Lord "grew and spread and intensified, prevailing mightily" (Acts 19:20).
Our confession and acts of reverence toward God are part of our witness to His glory, person and message of salvation through Jesus Christ. What kind of message are you delivering to those around you? Think about it.
"Many also of those who were now believers came making full confession and thoroughly exposing their [former deceptive and evil] practices" (Acts 19:18 AMP)
When Jesus revealed Himself as the "Light," He talked about the responses that would occur at His presence: "the Light is come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil [Isaiah 5:20]. For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the light and will not come out into the light, but shrinks from it, lest his works--his deeds, his activities, his conduct--be exposed and reproved. But he who practises truth--who does what is right--comes into the light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are, wrought with God--divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence on Him" (John 3:19-21).
The Spirit of Christ had transformed these once workers of darkness into children of the Light. They responded by confession of their sins and literally, destroyed the means by which they had previously and wickedly prospered. God's presence, welcomed in our lives, gives us the same distaste and abhorrence of sin as our Father has. His Holy Spirit within us brings to us conviction of right and wrong and revelation of the reality that God will judge all mankind's deeds. With this action of devotion by those who believed, the Word of the Lord "grew and spread and intensified, prevailing mightily" (Acts 19:20).
Our confession and acts of reverence toward God are part of our witness to His glory, person and message of salvation through Jesus Christ. What kind of message are you delivering to those around you? Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
