By Pastor Ronald Bernier, Master Builders Church, Fall River
Much of the culture is trying to dispense of Christianity, thinking if we eradicate this teaching we will no longer be condemned by it. Unfortunately the condemnation does not come from the teachings of Christ, but by living contrary to these teachings under the bondage of sin. Jesus did not come to add burdens to our lives, but to lift off those burdens. He did not come to condemn us in our sins, but to pay the price for the eradication of their chains and effects. Jesus’ own testament bears this though, when He said:
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge this world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12:46-48
As John spoke in the early part of his Gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5). Or, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12).
Our answer is not to suppress the truth about Jesus or His Word, it is to reveal Jesus and His Word. Only as we embrace and believe in Jesus can we find the truth that will transform our lives and lifestyle. The reality is that without this conversion we are already living out the process of judgment. This is the very thing that Jesus came to relieve us from. Only as we surrender to His Words and Person will we find true life and love. In Him is life and that life is the light of men and women.