THE EVER ADVANCING DARKNESS
by Kevin Rutherford
The oppressive and destructive power of evil is often portrayed as
darkness. This is appropriate because
the darkness hides all that is good, true, and beautiful. Darkness also provides the cover under which
evil may operate. Darkness always exists within societies. Sometimes the darkness is weak and hides in
the shadows. At other times the darkness
grows into a huge monster whose suffocating influence can completely collapse a
culture. This is one reason why
wickedness is wrong, immoral, unethical, and unscriptural. Another reason why evil is wrong is because it
is the complete opposite of the nature of God (1 John 1:3-7).
The creeping, crawling, slinking, suffocating monster of darkness, evil,
and wickedness is growing in the land. Darkness
seeks to turn people's heart away from God, truth, holiness, goodness, beauty,
loveliness, purity, and light (Philippians
4:8). As the darkness of wickedness
grows, it originator and commander must surely grin with satisfaction. Satan, our ancient enemy is exercising greater
and stronger influence upon our society, and upon the world (l Peter 5:8).
What can we do about the chilling influence of the darkness of sin? We can make up our minds to be the salt of the
earth, the light of the world, and the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden
(Matthew 5:13-16). Expose the darkness with the light (Ephesians 5:8-14). Watch the darkness of sin and error shrink
from the light of truth. Expect a
backlash of persecution, but be prepared to remain faithful to what is right. There are some ways Christians can be the
light of the world. Please note a few
them as discussed below:
Christians ought to use every ethical, moral, Scriptural and legal means
in attempting to keep this country on a solid moral foundation. We should legally oppose the murder of babies
called "abortion." We should
legally oppose the "same-sex" marriage as a perversion of God's plan
in creation. We should legally oppose
crime, corruption, and perversion of every kind. This is one we can we be the salt of the
earth, the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.
Christians ought to use every ethical, moral, Scriptural and legal means
in getting the good news about salvation to as many people as possible. We must talk to friends, neighbors, co
workers, and relatives about the Bible. We
must work in the community through mass media and door-to-door efforts to get
the message of hope and salvation to as many as possible. This is another way in which we can be the
salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be
hidden.
Christians ought to live ethical, moral, Scriptural and legal lives as a
way of being an example to those around us. It is important that we set the example in our
daily living. .It is vital for us to resist the temptations of a perverse
society. We must live the message we preach. We must love living the Christian life of
peace. This is another way in which we
can be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city set on a hill that
cannot be hidden.
Christians ought to teach their children to live ethical, moral,
Scriptural and legal lives. Christians
must teach their children by example and by word. Christians must take their
children to Bible class and worship. Christians
must work to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
This is difficult to do in an increasing
corrupt culture. This requires huge
sacrifices and involves weighty decisions. This is another way in which we can be the
salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill that cannot
be hidden.
Don't let the
darkness into your heart. Fight it in
your own life, then go out and fight the darkness in our culture. This is a spiritual war we cannot afford to
lose (Ephesians