Who Turned the Lights On?
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
“You cannot harbor sin and avoid consequences. What is done in darkness will be brought into the light.” – Os Hillman
Imagine that you are sitting in a dimly lit theater and all around you, people are committing the most heinous of crimes and the vilest of sins…
In the row behind you, someone is imitating a character on screen and slashing the throat of the person next to him. A few rows in front of you, two people are loudly cursing God while drinking well past the point of intoxication.
To your right, someone is molesting an underaged child who is too young and scared to cry out for help. And to your left, two married people are locked in a romantic embrace, but not with their respective spouses.
Down front, several addicts are shooting up with heroin while a young lady is offering to sell herself to feed her addiction. And in the balcony, same-sex couples are engaging in every kind of sexual abomination (God’s words, not mine, see Leviticus 18:22).
Suddenly, the house lights go up and for a moment, everyone is frozen in time, caught in the very midst of their sinful and/or criminal behavior. If only they had known, chances are they would have refrained from the activity that is now on full display for everyone to see. Shamefully, with their heads bowed and their eyes averted, they shuffle silently out of the theater.
My friend, we are all sinners, prone to wander and take detours from the “straight and narrow” road that God requires, and which Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7. Please know two things about your sin.
First, God sees it and it will eventually be brought to light, with consequences to pay, whether it’s in this life, the next, or both. Second, every sin – even the most egregious ones – are 100% forgivable. Confess your sins to God, repent (turn away) from them, and accept the cleansing power of Christ’s shed blood on your behalf.
Oh, and like Jesus told the woman caught in adultery… go and sin no more (see John 8:11).
“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.” Luke 8:17 (BSB)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
