FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a born-again believer — waters which allow for joy, not only in the sweet by and by, but in the blessed here and now as well. If you claim to be a Christian and yet would not describe your life as peaceful and fulfilling, something is not right. Certainly, you’re going to face periods of discouragement and difficulty, yet that should not be your permanent state of mind. God’s will for your life is that you experience a spiritually bountiful life. This desire is far more likely to become reality as you continually seek to keep your love relationship with Christ pure and fulfilling —the key to which can be found in Jesus’ closing comment to Nicodemus: “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:21). Note these concluding commands: Come into the light —Those seeking the truth gravitate to light. For example, consider the account in the Christmas story where the wise men came to Jesus bearing gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. After Christ was born, a star shone above Bethlehem that guided the Magi to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They saw the light and came to Him. Fittingly, Jesus later referred to Himself as “The light of the world.” He added: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Yet recognizing the light and walking in it is only part of the spiritual equation. We must also: Reflect that light to others —According to our passage, we come to the light, seeking truth, “So that it may be seen plainly that what (we have) done has been done through God” (John 3:21). A kingdom paradox surfaces here. Obviously, we aren’t to perform good deeds in order to be noticed by others. We are no doubt commanded, however, to give evidence of the love and work of God in our lives. As the Lord said, “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds” (Matthew 5:16).

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