A voice in the wilderness: To not walk in darkness. A series Part 5.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

To not walk in darkness. A series Part 5.

He who follows Me...

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (John 8:12 NASB)

This verse is a strong testament to eternal salvation, but there is a warning, the word follow, which seems to mean, one that follows as a disciple, in my mind, demonstrates a commitment, and I can think of many that came to Jesus in tears and were baptized before many of us, and still live like the devil.

The answer to that is, it is not for me to judge, but certainly could explain why they never seem to have any light.

As a disciple of Christ I do not make it my goal and purpose to walk in darkness. Now that might be debatable if I base my understanding upon what I feel like or see.

Darkness is the Greek word skotia. It is only used 15 times. 13 of those are interpreted as darkness. 2 are defined as dark.

Strong's concordance explains that the word means: dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively): - dark (-ness). And tells us that skotia is a derivative from skotos which include shadiness.

We can see that Jesus did not mean that it had to be pitch black, but merely the shadows of life.

Did Jesus tell us that we are protected from even walking in shadows?

Faith tells us to stick our necks out on the line and say yes, but I think we are confusing the two things:

Jesus is the light and there are times that the light is purely internal.

Secondly, you have to walk through this life which is filled with darkness.

How do you walk through the darkness and not be in it? That can only be an internal, spiritual thing.

Why or what keeps us out of the shadows? Having the light of life.

Jesus is the light of life and receiving him into our your life is the key. You do that by giving control to him, receiving his forgiveness, and accepting that Jesus death and resurrection give us hope.

That hope is in spending eternity with the Father and the glory he has prepared for us.