Isaiah 50:10-11 “Who is among you who fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant [Jesus], yet who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust and be confident in the name of the Lord and let him rely on his God. Listen carefully, all you who kindle your own fire [devising your own man-made plan of salvation], who surround yourselves with torches, walk by the light of your [self-made] fire and among the torches that you have set ablaze. But this you will have from My hand: You will lie down in [a place of] torment.”
Continuing this word study of darkness from a biblical perspective, the third definition of the English word “darkness” is: 3. A state of being intellectually clouded; ignorance. (an obstructed view that does not allow you to see, comprehend, ascend to the full truth). As clouds block the Sun’s light that we might not have an illuminated and complete view that will leave us ignore of what is truly existing or coming, darkness caused by anything that darken the light of truth, whether intentional or unintentional, by others or yourself, will create ignorance on the subject at hand because intellectual ascent will be unattainable by the obstructed view.
Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”
Theologian Blaise Pascal states that true faith seeks equally to maintain two positions. First it claims that God has appointed visible evidence in nature and the church so that He can be plainly seen by those who genuinely seek Him. Romans 1:16-21 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Second, true faith claims that God conceals the evidence in such a way that He will only be seen by those who sincerely seek Him with all their heart. Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord.” Pascal asserts, the Christian faith consists almost entirely in establishing two truths: the corruption of human nature, and its redemption through Jesus Christ – the Savior of the world. The gospel is clear.
Acts 17:30-31 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man {Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Yet, there are times for some healthy ignorance via divine clouds. As a good earthly father withholds specific life-appropriate information and details from their children to be revealed systematically during their growth and maturity is fitting and applicable to each life-stage, our heavenly Father reveals specific life-appropriate information and details to each of His children at the proper time for their growth, their maturity and their good unto their God-given gifts and calling in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth ... and no sooner than we are ready.
Let's continue this biblical word study of "darkness" in the next post.
n Christ, Brian
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