In the tech world, dark mode is making a comeback. Microsoft, Apple, and Google are reintroducing options to darken apps and web pages. Some folks like the look of a black website and and for most people, the reduced glare is easier on their eyes. Also, black backgrounds don’t drain device batteries as fast as white screens do.
Last week’s post laid out what the Bible teaches about enlightenment. When the Lord illumines our lives, we receive many benefits. These include hope, life itself, wisdom, awareness, salvation, and growth in holiness. But in their quest for light, people content themselves with substitutes for God. Human beings have become as accustomed to idols as they have to electric lights.
Whether souls turn to Jesus or chase after substitutes, the point is clear: people want light. They may favor dark mode for their screens, but people don’t want to dwell in darkness.
Or do they?
The apostle John defies the obvious.
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – John 3:19-21
In the physical realm, human beings prefer light to darkness. Disregarding the dark mode of the digital world, people need light. Yet in the realm of the spirit, they favor darkness. Why? Because men and women want to hide themselves from God. They’re afraid that the light of the Lord will reveal everything they’ve done wrong.
Why not repent? Why not admit to God the sinfulness of bad behavior and ask for forgiveness? The gospel announces that Jesus Christ has paid the price for human sins. His blood has the power to cleanse us and make us right. Far from fearing God, we can rejoice in His presence.
It’s one thing to hide in the dark to keep our sins under wraps, but it’s another to enjoy the shadows. If people relish their sins, they have to love the dark. It’s the only way they can conceal their terrible decisions and damaging behaviors.
But Jesus challenges the darkness on our behalf and offers a better alternative.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” – John 8:12
Jesus doesn’t promise us enlightenment to publicize our failures and humiliate us. Instead, He aims to keep us from harming ourselves and others by stumbling in the obscurity of this world.
“Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.’” – John 12:35
The Lord encourages us to make use of the opportunities He gives us. When God shines His light in our situations, we need to act while that light remains. If we neglect what He gives us, we’re no different than those who don’t believe in Jesus and never ask for His help. We won’t know where we are or which way to go. If we ignore His light, we’re stuck.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” – John 12:46
In this world, we encounter dark moments. We face trials that we didn’t expect, threats to our well-being, and problems we don’t know how to solve. At these times, we can succumb to the despair that darkness evokes or we keep our eyes peeled for the light of the Lord. The choice is ours–we either open up ourselves to His light or we recede into the darkness in which we dwelt. Our brushes with darkness need not become permanent.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:5-7
What’s the greatest blessing Christ’s enlightenment bestows? We’re no longer alone! Through Jesus, we come to know God and we join a family of fellow disciples. We don’t have to hide ourselves anymore; God brightens our lives and keeps us on right paths. And if we should fail, the blood that Jesus sacrificed cleans us up. The light will expose our shortcomings not to embarrass us but to keep us pure.
Do you love the darkness? There’s no need! The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ takes care of the root issues that drive us to dark places. He frees us from guilt and condemnation! Now we can walk in the light of the Lord and delight in the company of those who are loyal to Him.
If you like dark mode for your smartphone, that’s fine. But for your spiritual life, do yourself a favor and love His light!
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