Someone once said that instead of ‘cursing the darkness’ as believers we should merely ‘turn on the light’. That’s an interesting contrast. Given the choices, which do you choose?
Obvious! Sin is so obvious! It’s easy to recognize the spiritual darkness of the culture. A quick glimpse of the news or a short conversation with a friend confirm that indeed, the days are bad and seemingly getting worse.
I wonder sometimes if Noah understood just how bad it was in his generation. The Bible says it was really bad. So bad that the rampant sin brought the judgment of God. But we see Noah, steadily and readily choosing the path of obedience, faithfully building the ark prescribed by God.
How about Lot? What did he know exactly, even in his compromised condition? The Bible says the evil of the city he lived in, Sodom, ‘tormented’ him daily. He was a in a seriously backsliden state but escaped the sin around him.
We are definitely affected by sin. It discourages us. It angers us. It stirs us, maybe even torments us. How do we respond?
Have we become hyper-critical and overly judgmental at the uncontrolled growth of sin around us? Are we only known for what we are against? That seems the easier route. The thought is, “let’s be sure to highlight every evil thing and pronounce it to be wicked!” If we’re not careful, we will be trapped into ‘cursing the darkness”. It’s sad really. Not only is it not an effective evangelism tool, it also sounds like the person is surprised, like they didn’t know it would happen. The Bible teaches us the last days will be outrageously filled with sin!
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NLT) “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult (perilous – NKJV) times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
A better approach is to be ready to minster to the brokenness these sins, and others, bring into a person’s life. See the person first and not their sinful decisions. It’s easier said than done, but it’s the heart of Jesus. As we abide in Him, His heart is ours!
Remember the brokenness sin brought into your life. Reflect upon the grace of God and the powerful love He shares to the hurting, the broken, the sinful. Instead of cursing the darkness, we can turn on the light!
Isn’t that what someone did with you? Isn’t that how you walked into a Church? Broken, beat down, and utterly destroyed by your sinful decisions? It’s how I walked in!
Without approving of sin, we can serve the sinner, building a bridge to help deposit the gospel into their lives and call them to repentance. It’s true that sin will be exposed, but even greater, it’s true that Jesus death and resurrection will be magnified!
Recently at our All-Church servant’s meeting, we call the “Huddle” I shared on this very topic encouraging a love based approach to reaching our community. I pray you’re stirred by it and that many come into the Kingdom through your faithful life!
