What Lights Your Way? 4-26-09
I ate a meal from a local Chinese restaurant last week; included, of course, was a fortune cookie. The message contained within that simple but delicious folded cookie read “the eyes believe themselves, the ears believe other people.” At first glance I took that to mean we should follow what we learn through listening to others more than by our own opinions; after I thought about for a few days, my readings in the Bible lead me to a different perspective.
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. (Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV)
How often have we heard someone say “God helps those who help themselves”? Absolute rubbish! In fact, Isaiah said exactly the opposite: those who know they cannot help themselves and so turn to God for help are the ones that God helps. It is by God’s power and might that we “live and move and have our being,” (Acts 17:28 NIV). The reality is that all of us are in darkness in this life. Some try to light their own way and go by their own wisdom; God says that reserved for them is torment. But for those who trust in God, life awaits.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2,6 NIV)
This passage tells us directly the identity of the “great light” that illuminates the way of life for those living in the darkness of this world of death: Jesus Christ! It is only by the light of Jesus that we can enter eternal life (hence Jesus is THE way). Too many Christians soften the message and so cheat others of the chance to enter life from death. Too many Christians want to appear “open-minded” and sophisticated, able to see the “many paths up the mountain”. But they forget that treading up the mountain of God is a dangerous thing!
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel … Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:18-24,28-29 NIV)
Those who walk in the darkness trying to light their own way, whether through false religion, corrupt philosophy, or dishonest science, will eventually come to the foot of the mountain of God and will perish in smoke and fire. But those who put their trust in God will be led up the mountain into that “joyful assembly”. Let the eyes believe themselves, and let the ears believe others. But let the mind, heart, and soul believe in God! And let’s make sure that our path is lit by Jesus.
-Charles Peterson