Jesus came into the world to help you experience God. So He did a number of profound things. At one point a group of religious leaders brought to Him a woman caught in adultery, a sin worthy of death. They tested Him by asking what He thought. He replied to her accusers, “The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7 JNT). Her accusers, convicted by their own conscience, left. He said He did not condemn her, and that she should sin no more. He then shared something that brought peace and strength to her as well as others hearing: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life” (John 8:12).RELEVANCE
God’s light reveals truth. Receiving His Words breathed by His Spirit bears the life, love and grace of God’s truth. His words cut through the darkness of lies that condemn. His words and Spirit bear truth that sets people free. The LORD revealed this later in His conversation. “If you obey what I say, then you are really my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
As we actively receive and embrace the LORD and the light of God’s truth by His Word, His Spirit cleanses and sanctifies us. This is what the apostle Paul related as, “sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
I love it when the Holy Spirit drops words of knowledge and wisdom into my spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8). It’s how we experience God’s sweet presence.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” The “philosophy” and “empty deceit” of the world is so pervasive, we confront it daily.
How do you discern and separate truth from such impressions? How do you resist the pressures of absorbing and adopting the world’s philosophies and empty deceit?
How do you receive the Lord’s light to deal with the world’s darkness?
REFERENCES
John 8:1-12; Colossians 2:8-23