Commentary on "Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin"

GRACE CARLSON

 

Day 2: Sunday, July 12, 2009

 

Overview

Sunday's lesson discusses what it means to describe God as "light". The author states that light is used to describe God's glory, his moral qualities of righteousness, holiness, and perfection.

The author points out the fact that John not only describes God as "light" but also adds that "in him there is no darkness at all". He says that by adding that phrase, John is emphasizing the fact that God is completely perfect and separate from sin. Unlike the Greek or Roman gods who had both good and bad attributes, God is pure in His holiness, goodness, and righteousness.

At the end, the author states that as fallen beings in sin, humans belong by nature to darkness rather than light. He concludes by saying, "If God is light and we are in darkness, the contrast between us and God, especially in terms of holiness and righteousness, couldn't be greater."

 

Problems

While I agree with the author's description of God being light, there is a subtle message in what he doesn't say.

He says that the contrast between God as light, and humans as darkness, is great. There is no argument in that. But what he fails to say is that as believers, we no longer belong to that "domain of darkness". Colossians 1:13 says, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son".

The darkness described in Colossians is more than a metaphorical and descriptive term. It is a domain or a dominion, over which there is a ruler. Acts 26:18 clarifies who this ruler is, "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me."

As we discussed in Saturday’s commentary, because of Adam’s sin, we are all born into depravity. By nature, we are children of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). We are born spiritually dead, unable to abide and commune with God. We are ruled by this darkness.

Understanding the depth of this darkness, and the domain it represents, puts the whole coming of Christ into proper perspective. Jesus was not just Light. He actually pierced darkness and overcame it. By His light, we were "rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son..."

Isaiah 9:12 prophesies of this happening, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." John 1:5 describes Jesus as, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

By grace, and through faith, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have had their darkness overturned and they themselves have become sons of light, "For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness." (1 Thess. 5:5). This transformation is a gift from God, and not dependent upon our works. It is not us, but God Himself who opened our hearts to His Light, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)

Now note the following excerpts from The E.G. White Notes that correspond to this lesson:

"By abiding in Christ, the soul will not only be enlightened, but cleansed and purified. He says again, 'He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' It is in this way that his followers are to be the 'light of the world'. Those who abide in Christ will do the works of Christ; but if we have a knowledge of the principles of truth, and fail to carry them out, this knowledge will only serve to sink us deeper in perdition. We must seek prayerfully to know what is right, and knowing our duty, do it with all the heart for Christ's sake."--The Medical Missionary, August 1, 1892.

"As the light of the sun is light and life and blessing to all that live, so should Christians, by their good works, by their cheerfulness and courage, be the light of the world."--This Day with God, p. 92

The transformation God has done for the believer by bringing him from darkness to light is deeper than "good works, cheerfulness, and courage..." In addition, once we are transferred, we are under new authority. Because of that, believers will naturally abide in Christ. It is not a "work" or an act we have to do to keep us in the "Light". It has never been about what we do. Our transformation is entirely of God, and our security is entirely of God.

 

Summary:

1. God is Light.
2. Humanity is born into the domain of darkness.
3. Through Jesus, we are transferred from the domain of darkness to the domain of Light.
4. The "transfer" is all from God, and not ourselves.
5. Believers are "sons of light" and belong to Him, forever.

 

Copyright 2008 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised July 11, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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