Placing my faith in Jesus Christ for salvation changes everything because it positions me in God’s marvelous light.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Since placing faith in Jesus for salvation changes everything marvelously, every human in history turns joyfully to the Light, correct? No.
The god of this world is an active agent working to blind our minds to keep us from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
Because this is true, praying for the defeat of the blinding one, his blinding work, and all related blindness is important and necessary.
Some people are completely blinded to the gospel of the glory of Christ while other people have partial blindness.
Similarly, some people are in total spiritual darkness while in others the light casts dark shadows.
God alone is darkness and shadow free.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
Into the reality where very human experiences darkness and shadows, John writes:
19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21
The Apostle John reveals the facts of the case.
- Light has come into the world.
- People loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
- Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and
Does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
- But whoever does what is true
Comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
Coming to the light changes everything.
The English word for the darkness we love rather than the light is the word sin.
When I sin, I create a brand-new reality, seen most often in the Bible as a stain, weight or debt.
| Sin Creates | Sin is Removed | Bible Example |
| A stain | I am cleansed | Psalm 51:4 |
| A weight | My burden is lifted | Leviticus 16:22 |
| A debt | My debt is paid or remitted | Matthew 6:12 |
When I come to Jesus, the Light, He changes everything!
Jesus cleanses my stain.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Jesus carries the weight of my sin.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Jesus pays my spiritual debt.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:23-35
Why is Jesus willing to cleanse my stain, carry my burden and pay my debt?
Jesus’ eternal motive is His infinite love.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I invite you to come to the Light by placing your faith in Jesus and watch Him change everything.