Grace N Grounds

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9, NLT

The world has been filled with things that are not of God for thousands and thousands of years. Pick up the Bible and read the passages in the Old Testament, and you can read stories of those who crafted and bowed down to false idols, and rejected God’s teachings and way of life. Who encouraged others to do the same; and this still occurs today. In fact, Satan works overtime to ensure this happens. It pleases him to turn people away from God. It pleases him when people reject the message of Jesus and the Gospel. He will do whatever he can to prowl around in darkness, and tempt people away from a godly way of life, and he uses the most desirable things to do this-wealth, fame, and all things to do with it.

See, apparently the Grammys aired last Sunday. I say, apparently…because I only know about it from the commentary and opinions that I have seen posted on the internet and social media since then. And we are a week in. If there is anything I know about Satan, I know he uses the mind to influence. The senses. The eyes, and the ears. So, everytime a video has been posted, an image of his likeness or message has also been displayed for everyone to take in…once again. Garbage in. Garbage out.

The realm of darkness now has a much wider audience thanks to social media, the internet, and the vast number of people to whom Satan can broadcast his message of evil. It is broadcast all over, seen for days, viewed by millions, and paraded in the public square for all to see. Then shared again on social media pages for critquing, viewing, and partaking in whether we ever wanted to see it or not, and the message is often the same from evangeligical circles: “Condemn this evil. Rebuke these rituals. How dare anyone who calls Jesus, Lord, be in the presence of those sinners!” But, I wonder at times, if the way in which we are responding, is the answer? Are we missing one part of Jesus’ message in John 3:16…perhaps we skip verse 17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. If Jesus didn’t condemn, who exactly are we to?

Ephesians 6 talks about this Satan that was put on full display last Sunday evening. This one we portray in modern stories and pictures as a red demon with horns. We are reminded who he is: For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12, NLT). People are not our enemies. The people who are wrestling with evil and darkness are not our enemies. In fact they are people, loved by God. Those He desires to be saved. Captured by THE enemy, not OUR enemies. So why do we condemn as if they are?

And how do we respond differently? Ensuring we are Jesus, not condemning as He didn’t come to do, but also rebuking and pointing them to the way, as we are called to do?

On Wednesday, Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky had its regularly scheduled chapel service. Several days after the Grammys aired. Several days after people continued to talk about the “deplorables” of the world that gathered on and around that stage. They worshipped. They repented. They prayed. They shared testimonies. And as of today, they continue to.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NLT

When evil is paraded in the town square, it is our human response to react with anger. I am filled with righteuous anger. However, condemnation and hate filled opinions of the people who either speak against or don’t is not the answer. Condemnation against those who attended the “parade” is not the answer. Neither is it for those who orchestrated the “parade.” Remember, our fight is not against people, it is against the enemy. Against evil. And God has overcome evil. With His light.

He has placed this light inside of us. His children. And the fact remains that He loves ALL people. Yes, even those who walk in darkness, and His desire is to reconcile them to His amazing light. Condemnation will not do this. Responses like those in Wilmore can.

So what do we do with evil?

We realize it for what it is: a scheme of Satan and not a fight against each other. We have got to stop fighting against each other, and start praying for each other. Brothers and sisters of Christ, and for those that are lost to their wayward lifestyles. Pray we will walk in unity as a church. Pray for those that are lost in sin. Pray their eyes will be opened to the light of Christ. Pray for salvation.

Carry your “light” wisely. What do I mean? Do not use it as a method to wield judgement and condemnation on others who simply sin differently than you do. A general rule here: Remember how you came to salvation in Christ. Was it through a message of grace? Or a mesage of fire and brimstone? It was likely the first. Use that to reach people, always seasoning your message of holiness with grace.

Last, but certainly not least:

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3, NIV

God desires that everyone come into His Kingdom, and so this should be our greatest desire as well. If we see the evil of this world, and we know a person is drowning in it, our next action should be to bow down and pray for their deliverence, their protection from the enemy, and their safety. That God would be revealed to them. This is what pleases our Heavenly Father and stops the schemes of Satan.

Remember, friends…God has already conquered evil. He overcomes darkness again and again and again, and we get to participate. Let us remember that once we were in darkness, and look back on the message we needed to be removed from its grips. It was not a message of shame, but one of love, compassion, and grace. He has placed this message of light in us, and given us the authority to go and draw others near to Him. We have a holy responsibility as Christ ambassadors to make His light so bright that its flame is too bright to miss. Too bright to put out. It’s the one others are drawn to over all others.

Let’s ensure that our words, deeds, and actions spark the light that shines so bright that darkness simply flees. What changes do you need to make in your words or actions to be a light in the darkness today? How do you need to ensure that others see Jesus in you?