Christianity 101: Building a Firm FoundationSample

A Light for Our Path...

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
John 12:46 NLT

Just in case you haven’t noticed, we are not in the Garden of Eden anymore.

Just as Dorothy told Toto in The Wizard of Oz, “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” this declaration of our location can be alarming. But instead of hiding under our bedcovers, our Lord Jesus tells us not to be afraid. Instead of staying in the darkness that engulfs this beautiful but broken world we live in, Jesus calls us to live in His light.

Nevertheless, how did we get into this mess anyway? Let’s rehearse some of our opening lessons.

Do you recall that when God created the world and everything in it, He gave Adam and Eve dominion over all of it? (Genesis 1:27-28). However, they chose to believe Satan’s lies about the Father and disobey Him. In that one disastrous move, they lost everything He had so wonderfully and freely given them.

Adam and Eve got what they asked for in a huge way. Because of their choice, the pristine and sinless world they once ruled began to experience evil, sin, sickness, and death. The couple handed their dominion over to God’s adversary—the devil (1 John 5:19).

But in the midst of all this darkness, a Light came into the world in the form of a baby—God’s Son, the Savior Jesus. He made the perfect invasion into enemy territory to rescue us. Jesus calls out to anyone who will believe Him and surrender to His love and dominion, to come out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

The Lord never refuted the enemy’s claims regarding his sway over our planet (Luke 4:6-8). However, Jesus came to decisively destroy hell’s rule (1 John 3:8) under God’s terms. Knowing this truth will cause a believer to have a greater sense of what is really going on around them. The spiritual realm dictates our natural realm.

In its ignorance, the world may call natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and famine acts of God. However, these calamities, all disease, and evil are wholly attributed to Satan, his demonic horde, and the fallen state of humankind.

Yet, we are far from defenseless. Jesus’ work on the cross, His resurrection, the authority of His Word, the outpouring of His Spirit, and the supremacy of His name on our lips as believers make us more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

• What are your thoughts about our world’s current predicament, 1 John 5:19?
• How do Jesus’ words in John 8:10-12 to the adulterous woman encourage or challenge you?
• Jesus doesn’t refute the devil’s claim, but what does He speak to him Luke 4:5-8?
• How are you encouraged by 1 Peter 2:9-10?
• 1 John 3:8 literally means Jesus came to destroy, untie the knots, unloose, and dissolve the enemy’s power!