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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
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Genesis 1:1-4
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. ... Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness"
The light which God created on the first day is typical of Christ. He is "the light of the world" (John 8:12) and "the true Light" (John 1:9). He is therefore to the moral and spiritual realm what light is to the physical realm. Observe:
1. Light is bright. Indeed, what is light but brightness? and what is brightness but light? Likewise, Christ is bright. He is "the brightness of [God's] glory" (Hebrews 1:3), radiating the glory of God. When He reveals His glory it is "brighter than the sun," humbling even the chief of sinners (Acts 26:13-15). He declares "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).
2. Light is universal. It shines upon every man, being not confined to any one person or class. Likewise, Christ is universal. He is "the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world" (John 1:9). His light is not confined to any one person or class.
3. Light is necessary. All living things depend upon it for life. It was therefore necessary for God to create light before creating living things. Likewise, Christ is necessary. They who are apart from Him are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Only in Him can sinners "turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified" (Acts 26:18).
4. Light is immaculate. It is stainless and unpolluted, and therefore devoid of the impurities associated with darkness. Likewise, Christ is immaculate. Because He is God the Son, "in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). He is therefore devoid of the stain and pollution of sin. He "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21), "committed no sin" (2 Peter 2:22), "and in Him there is no sin" (1 John 3:5).
5. Light is incorruptible. Unlike water and air, it is not polluted when in a foul environment. It instead repels pollution. Likewise, Christ is incorruptible. He was just as pure when He departed this foul and sin-ridden earth as He was when He entered it. And He repelled Satan when that Prince of Darkness tempted Him to sin (Matthew 4:1-11). He is therefore "the Sun of Righteousness ... with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2).
6. Light is welcome. "Surely the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun" (Ecclesiastes 11:7). Those who are in the darkness of night therefore welcome the light of the day, knowing that "joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Likewise, Christ is welcome. He is welcomed by those who realize they live in the darkness of the gloom and despair of sin. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined" (Isaiah 9:1f; Matthew 4:12-16).
7. Light is free. It costs nothing, and is received by the poorest and lowest classes as freely as by the richest and noblest. Likewise, Christ is free. His salvation is so precious that none can afford or merit it (Psalm 49:6-8). Therefore, Christ cannot be appropriated, nor can His salvation be purchased, through any work or merit of sinners such as performing good deeds, being baptized, observing the law, keeping sabbaths, joining a church, nor any other. But Christ and His salvation are freely offered "without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1) to all who will receive Him by faith alone -- and He even freely bestows this faith (Ephesians 2:8f). He is therefore received as readily and freely by the poorest beggar (as Lazarus) as by the richest king (as Solomon).
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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