Shades of Gray

 

 

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim what we have seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete.  This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light and in him is no darkness at all.  I John 1:1-5

 

Shades of gray. 

Some things are black and white, others are gray areas.  Is it a lie to tell someone you like their hideous new hairdo?  Is it stealing if you find and keep a wallet with no ID in it?  When you are married is it OK to “look but don’t touch” other women/men?

The world would have you to believe that there are very few absolutes in this world.  Everything is relative.  In fact, that saying has been made into a slogan of sorts.  But is everything relative?  Is it really?

This passage makes it plain that God is absolute light.  There is no darkness; no shadow; now shades of gray.  He is pure, blinding light.  He is altogether glorious, marvelous and beautiful.  As children of God we are called to become more and more like him.  Compromising with the world, adding a dab of darkness here and there, will not really cut it.

Our world is increasingly dark.  The last twenty years has shown a huge moral decline.  The last 50 years shows an even greater contrast.  At one time, sex outside of marriage was a sin and a shame.  Then, it was acceptable if you were in a committed relationship leading to marriage.  Then it was OK if you were dating.  Then it was Ok if both of you were willing, no matter what.  What a huge paradigm shift!  Meanwhile, the truth of the Word of God remains absolute.  Sex outside of marriage?  Sin.  Always has been; always will.  This is just one example, but this can be applied in so many ways.  Do you remember when a handshake and someone’s word was absolute?  Do you remember when people approached little old ladies to help them across the street, rather than to rob them?

Indeed darkness has come to America.  Can you watch a single sitcom or drama that does not display darkness in some form?  Crude and coarse joking, inappropriate dress, blasphemy, taking the Lord’s name in vain.  These things are common, everyday occurrences.  They are the social norm of 21^st Century America.

But the Great I Am- Who is and Who was and Who is to come.  He changes not.  He is absolute light.  And if we want to have fellowship with him, we will have to acknowledge and respect his holiness.

O Lord, please keep me from the darkness of this world.  Help me to be like you.  Help me never to forget who you are or to view you differently than the Bible says you are.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Sherri