May 23, 2021

When we say "the darkness is past" in context with this scripture, we often miss its real meaning. It speaks of the passing of old darkness for both "him" and "you" (and the "him" per see, is Jesus Christ)! The fact is that Jesus Christ chose to walk through darkness in this world in its full extremity, he even chose the dark shroud of our extreme, wicked and vile sins which desperately needed his atoning blood. We have induced not only our own darkness in this life, but we intertwined Jesus Christ into our deep vileness in a thousand vulgar ways (baby-killing, idolatry, adultery, fornication, blasphemy, pride, and a thousand other terrible things)!

But now salvation has come and the dark clouds are rolled back, and the darkness is fully past both for Jesus Christ whose conquest and victory over sin and death and the devil are complete! But wait, it also says the darkness is passed for us too!  This implies Christians have the wherewithal to necessarily walk in this world within the marvelous light of Jesus Christ always, and not in the old gross darkness.  

What is the conclusion? The scripture saith "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now". So it also follows that: "He that saith he is in the light and murders his brother, is in darkness even until now." And, "He that saith he is in the light and commits adultery against his brother, is in darkness even until now." And, "He that saith he is in the light and bears false witness against his brother, is in darkness even until now."  And, "He that saith he is in the light and steals from his brother, is in darkness even until now." And, "He that saith he is in the light and lusts after his brother's wife, is in darkness even until now, etc., etc., etc.

O what an extreme and vile modern Christian church era that denies the light and freedom of the cross, and who still loves to walk in gross darkness! So, the average Christian today "knows not whither he goeth" because that darkness has blinded his eyes!  But for the real Christian, the darkness is past and the true light now shineth! Hallelujah!  

Austin Gatherings uses the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, and Pastor Mark Jones will be preaching today out of 1 John 2:5-11.