Live In The Light

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

‘You are not obligated to prove the Gospel is true, the onus lies on those who reject its authority, for they must live with the consequences of their choice.’

By the time Jairus and Jesus arrived at his home the house was filled with people weeping and wailing over the little girl’s death. But Jesus said to them, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” Hearing this, the crowd ‘laughed him to scorn’ because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took the little girl by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. (Luke 8:52-55) We all will laugh at what we don’t understand or what we feel is ridiculous; it’s a natural human reaction. The expression, “laughed him to scorn,” is found in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, “Our castle’s strength, Will laugh a siege to scorn.” It pictures an overconfident position of authority that looks down on everyone else. Those hired as mourners were certainly familiar with death, so their overconfident laughter at Jesus’ Words seemed an appropriate response. Notice though that He does not address their ridicule but looks past them to the reality of the child in need. Of all those in the house, it was Jesus who knew the truth. And those who laughed were made to look like fools, not because He debated with them, but because Jesus focused on what was real and true.

Many will laugh at you when you talk about the Bible as God’s Word. It’s not because they know it’s false or can prove God’s not real; it is because the truth makes those who believe a lie uncomfortable. Just look at the religious leaders’ reactions to Jesus, how often did they respond with hate and ridicule only to protect their position of power and not because they had any evidence to question Jesus’ authority.

The Bible is not a string of pearls, but a chain of linked thoughts presenting a coherent argument for who God is, the origin and design of our existence, how we are to live, the consequences for not living according to design, and the redemption plan for mankind. If the Bible’s arguments are not having an effect on you, it’s because you have little faith in what it says, or you have believed something other than the truth. Faith is massively important here; not blind faith that hopes something is true because it fits our narrative, but a rational cohesive argument anchored in reality and spoken of by the One who “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:1, 3-4)

We must trust; we must believe what Jesus says. This was His command given to Jairus when all seemed lost, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” (Luke 8:50)

God’s Word, as revealed in the Bible is a coherent argument answering every question. It is the light that illuminates our path and keeps us from falling. As long as we remain in the light of God’s Word, we are secure; but if we remove ourselves from the light’s presence, we walk in darkness and must rely on our own limited senses. To benefit from these Truths you must believe God’s Word and walk in its light, balls in your court,

Choose wisely…

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path…

If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

(Psalms 119:105; 1 John 1:7)

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. –Colossians 3:14-15