Into Light or Dark Via Works

I have a choice to either be in the light or in the dark. That choice is driven by my works in this world.

“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. ²⁰For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹But 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 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus. He came into this world and into the darkness to expose the people to the light that He is. He gave the people the opportunity to come to something greater. He did not stay on the throne and ask the people to come to Him, He went to them where they were.

I like to use imagery to visualize what things will look like, so here goes. I have watched a number of movies where the lead character goes into a dark room or area exploring for whatever it was in the movie. As the character goes into the darkness, the light they are carrying exposes the hoards of beings congregating. As the light shines on the beings, they move, but not toward the light, away from it to avoid the light that exposes them for what they are and what they have done. In the darkness there may be a few that are not like the others and when the light is brought into the darkness they will move toward it to be rescued from the darkness and the beings found there.

Jesus came to be the light in the darkness and as He came those in the darkness either moved away to remain unexposed or they move toward Him to be rescued. I personally choose to be rescued. I have done some things that I am not proud of and it would be easier to move away from the light and stay in the darkness so that I and my actions are not exposed, but what does that get me but more works I am not proud of and I will perpetually remain in the dark. By coming into the light, I may have some challenges getting there, but thanks to Jesus, the reward of salvation and forgiveness and grace are far greater than the shame of remaining in the dark.

I have to allow my works to speak to who I am. I can choose the works to be “carried our in God”, or I can choose to remain in the dark and remain shameful for the works carried our there. I choose to be in the light and carrying out the works that God has for me to bring glory to Him and the gospel to the people.

Where are you spending your time? Are you in the dark, ashamed of the works you have done? What if you were to see and come to the light that is God and accepting the forgiveness for those works and continue forward doing the works of God in the light?