Light Overcomes Darkness

I lost a couple of hundred dollars last night while hauling groceries into the house. It had slid out of my pocket. The yard light was burned out so I was walking around vehicles in the dark with a very tiny pocket flashlight. I could not find a "real" flashlight. After, I had finally given up on looking, I found it inside of the house where the lights were burning brightly.

After putting the groceries away, I sat down to watch the news to find more darkness. Paris had been attacked by extremists. It is being said, by some in the media, that the targets were targets that epitomized indulgence and idolatry.

Here is the difference between those who would follow Jesus and those who do not. Extremists think that everyone must think and believe and live as they do. They will stifle speech by attacking others. There is no room for discussion or debate with extremism of any kind (right or left). Extremists will bring darkness because they live in darkness; while, those who follow Jesus, who is the light unto the world, will bring light.

No, Christians do not support idolatry; but, we also understand that we will not change the world by attacking and killing everyone who does not think or act like we do. Followers of Christ do not attack others by words or actions in order to shut them down because they do not agree with us. (Many of us; however, will not just look the other way when others are being unjustly attacked.)

There are some extremists in this country, as there are around the world, who would have us live in the darkness. They would take away free-thinking, free-speech, freedom period, because what we think or say or do; because Jesus, himself, offends them. However, no matter how offensive the Good News is to some, that will not stop us from reminding people that Jesus is the true light of the world. He is the only way to be reconciled to God and to one another. Sadly, even many Christians seem to have forgotten that. The darkness can sometimes be perpetuated by some, who in the name of Christianity (not Christ), would silence those who disagree with them just as those who do not follow Jesus would silence all of Christianity.

The days can sometimes seem as dark as the night. A little light will not help us to see clearly. Darkness is overcome by the great light, who is Jesus the Christ.

"... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16

May the light of Christ shine in you so brightly that even in the darkest of places others might find "The Way."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 18:1-17 Truth In Corinth

Acts 18:1-17 NIV
Paul does relatively well in Corinth. That is; he is able to testify that Jesus is the Messiah for about a year and a half in relative peace. I say relative because at one point he shook out his clothes in protest against the Jews who opposed his teaching and told them that from then on he was going to the Gentiles. The truth was not without opposition, even in Corinth.

Have you ever been in a debate that is pretty much one-sided? No matter what you say the other person shouts you down? They might even scream at you or threaten you if you don't shut up? They are adamant that their way is right and are not open to hearing any other truth. There are times when we must shake the dust off our shoes and move on. When, no matter what we say, we run up against bullies who will reject you and the healing word that you bring, then it may be best to quit wasting our and their time and move on to those who will hear and if they have doubts or questions will ask with an open heart and mind; desiring to hear and understand.

Debate is good. Discussion is good. But, both sides must be open to empathic listening to the other person. Paul presented the truth with reasoning from scripture. He did this with empathy, understanding where they were coming from. When certain people would not listen to the truth about Jesus, Paul simply moved on. He did not attack them as he had been attacked.

May God soften the hearts of those who reject the truth and who persecute those who are trying to help them follow in a better way.

God's Peace - Pr. J