John 3:19-20 - Loving the Darkness

John 3:19-20

19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 

Message: Loving the Darkness

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Found out yesterday in the Tabletalk reading that most commentators believe these red letter words are actually John's commentary on Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus. It makes sense as in John 1:4-5 John referred to The Word as The Light and we saw later this was referring to Jesus. 

As I look at and study these two verses they really speak to me about the condition of man. There is something very simple and yet profound about these verses and our condition that I find so illuminating. Maybe because it is so clear and easy to understand and hits me hard about the person I am. 

(1) These verses speak of a contrast between Light and darkness. Jesus is our Light. And he is a light towards people that love darkness. Why? Because their deeds are evil. 

I was fairly young when I trusted Christ as Savior, 1 month shy of 15th birthday and I am not sure if before I was saved that I understood my condition to be a sinner. I think I thought I was normal. I was in the middle of adolescence with my body changing and in that process of it changing and my sexual desires coming alive, I was exposed to pornography. And I really don't think I was awakened to it being wrong until I became a Christian. Before this I also at times had a poor mouth and cursed a lot. I remember this starting for me as early as 5th grade. 

Did I love these things? I'm sure a part of me did. Or I didn't find any problem with them. But after becoming a Christian I realized they were sins and they did not glorify God and I sought to change. And to this day, there are situations in my life that I know can be evil and about darkness. I have people in my life that I am honest with, but I am not completely honest with anyone about all of my thoughts. 

(2) And then also those that do evil do not come to the Light out of fear that their deeds will be exposed. 

As I have been discussing, in thinking about my thoughts and what they are and even acts of sin to this day, the fear that hits me the most is being exposed or being found out. I don't want anyone to see the true colors of who I am and often I go to a lot of effort to keep it a secret. Granted, I am noticing myself change, especially over the last several years. I'm finding that my temptations are not as strong. And I am thrilled of this but also it makes me embarrassed of my past. 

So, these verses are quite interesting to me because they are so true. I don't want anyone to expose the darkness in my life. I know Jesus knows. And I suppose I hope he ignores. But I know He knows. 

Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary John, “It is against the nature of a child of darkness to come to the light because he knows the light represents exposure and humiliation.”

These verses infer that in order for a person to be born again, then the Spirit needs to awaken them. It make sense: when we do evil, we don't want the light. What makes us change? Something must awaken in us for this change to happen. 

Summary: The Light has come into the world but people love evil and hate the Light for fear of being exposed. 

Promise: People do not believe in Jesus because they love their sin, not because God creates evil in their hearts. The Lord will not refuse anyone who turns from sin and runs to Christ. And salvation means trusting Christ not only once but for all of our lives.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for taking me from darkness to your Light. You did it all for me. I don't understand but I am thankful for you awakening me into new life.