SET FREE OR HELD CAPTIVE

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. —John 12:46

Ever been cave exploring? Once you get deep underground and turn your lights off it is an absolute darkness. You cannot see your hand directly place in front of your face. It is a complete blindness. Without light in a place like this a person is sightless, directionless and lost.

So it is in the spiritual realm. Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 1:9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5). Those who trust in Him and follow Him will not walk in darkness. But those who do not trust in Him and are not following Him are walking in darkness and do not know where they are going (John 12:35). “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (II Corinthians 4:4). Those who have not trusted Jesus are not only blind and walking in darkness, but they are in “the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:26). It is like they are in a pitch dark cave P.O.W. labor camp with Satan as the Warden and the captives don’t even know it, but think they are freely doing what they desire!

You know Jesus— rejoice! You are not in the dark and you are not help captive by Satan to do his will. Those who know Jesus “will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). May we who truly know Jesus let our “light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). May we share the light of the gospel with them that they can be set free from Satan and serve the Lord Jesus!

Thank You, Dear Father, for setting me free from the dark domain of Satan and bring me into the kingdom of Your Dear Son, the kingdom of light. Now, may I live like a child of light and shine for you that others would come to know Jesus as well. May it be so!