the basic message # E66
John 3:19-20
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
Vine’s commentary on the book of John has the following words about the passage above: “For every one that doeth [prasso means to practice, to do a thing by way of constant activity] ill [here the word is phaula, which signifies worthless things, good-for-nothing] hateth the light, and cometh not to the light [a hatred exhibited in a deliberate refusal to come], lest his deeds [his works] should be reproved [or rather, convicted, i.e., of being what they actually are, by being exposed in their true character and so meeting with condemnation].”
Whew! Mr. Vine could really talk! But what does the scriptural passage really mean in layman’s terms? My opinion, which is supported by Mr. Vine, is that people who do evil intentionally on a regular basis aren’t Christians. I know I just heard at least one reader mutter, “There he goes judging again! He doesn’t know what’s in a person’s heart!” No, I don’t know what’s in a person’s heart, but I can certainly evaluate their daily actions.
We Christians must be extremely careful not to wag the finger at “sinners” who don’t measure up to our standards. Perhaps it seems like I’m talking from both sides of my mouth, but please follow me closely. Am I mad at “fake” Christians? While fakes aren’t on my list of favorites, I know I must let God sort out sinners without any input from me. But, I am mad. Mad at who, you ask? I’m mad at the Christian church, or more specifically, the Christian churches I grew up in, and currently attend.
You see, while I understand we shouldn’t judge, we also shouldn’t stand by and watch a train wreck about to happen. Let me explain. For many years, about 43, I was under the impression that you “just knew” you were a Christian. “All you gotta do is believe in Jesus”, they say. You know what? I can believe that I can go into Supercuts and get a haircut, but if I don’t take off my motorcycle helmet first, it ain’t gonna happen. Believing in Jesus is absolutely, positively the first and most crucial step in becoming a Christian, but following very closely on that is giving Jesus full access to your heart. Have you given Jesus full access to your heart? Not 25% or 50%, but FULL ACCESS. Many folks believe that once you believe in the promises of Jesus, you will immediately fall in step with his plan for mankind. I can believe Regis Philbin is going to make me a millionaire, but that doesn’t mean I’ll have any allegiance to him after I cash the check.
So why am I mad? I’m mad that I had to learn the truth on my own. I’m mad (and frightened) that if I had been killed 5 years ago, I might have gone to Hell since the church has continued to educate me at the same level we had in Vacation Bible School when I was 5 years old. Is it my responsibility to learn what the scriptures mean? Absolutely, but if no one had ever pointed out that my eternity relies on my study, I’d have gotten involved years sooner. If you’re a Christian, be sure you’ve given Jesus full access to your heart. If you’re not a Christian, or if you’re questioning your position with Christ, invite him into your heart to take over completely and do whatever is necessary to be certain your name is in the Lamb’s Book Of Life. Tick, tick, tick, tick……….