Light and darkness illustrate spiritual truth.
Lost sinners are in darkness until the Holy Spirit shines God’s truth into their spiritual hearts. Then the light of God’s saving grace brightly shines in heart and life. The world is in spiritual darkness when it abandons the established truths of God and rejects salvation in Jesus Christ. Any departure from God in any society has disastrous effects.
America today is departing from God and wandering aimlessly into spiritual darkness.
It is a perilous course of sure destruction. What is the hope? The hope is always and only in Christ. God has promised that His truth will triumph only in His Son. When Jesus Christ asked his disciples about who they thought He was, Peter responded by saying,
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Jesus then took this confession of truth and declared,
“… you are Peter (rock) and upon this rock (large rock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).
This huge rock or slab of truth is the foundation of the church.
It is not the little rock Peter, but rather Peter’s confession. Christ Himself – who is the foundation – is also the faithful builder and defender of His church. In the face of great spiritual darkness, the Word of the Lord will come to full fruition. The impossible task of building and preserving the church will be accomplished in a world of spiritual darkness. The impossible is made possible only by the power of God. And, Jesus also promised that the gates of Hades shall not overpower His church. The raging mouths of death and hell are always open wide – ready and eager to devour anyone or anything associated with Christ.
Doom would be certain were it not for the great Defender of the faith.
In the presence of growing darkness, always remember the promises of our Lord and Savior which will never fail. He will build and protect His church. Every justified believer in Christ will be sanctified and glorified. None will be lost. The church of Jesus Christ will never be destroyed. The battle of truth may be intense at times, but it will be won by Christ in and through the lives of faithful Christians. Standing for the truth of God is our great challenge. When spiritual darkness looms great, remember Christ’s promise of the church triumphant. Victory is in Christ.