In the Pacific Northwest, where it’s overcast most days, lots of people suffer from light deprivation, which results in mood swings and depression.  There’s even a scientific name for this problem: “Seasonal Affective Disorder,” or S.A.D.  People suffering from S.A.D. have to set up special light panels in their homes and get heavy doses of illumination in order to be happy campers.  We need light.  We can’t survive without it. *

We need another Light, too: Jesus, the Light of the world.  Our hearts, clouded by selfishness and confusion, need His light.

Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:24).

In his article entitled, “Self-Denial or Self-Actualization,” Leon Barnes shared this commentary on Luke 9, verse 24: “We will not find that line in any of the modern pop psychology books or self-help manuals.  Instead, our modern thinkers tell people they must find themselves.  It seems that few days pass without someone’s throwing off responsibility for their family and for the job they are committed to do, declaring that they must find themselves.  Strangely, I have never known of such efforts to result in a better person who is more productive or more caring.  It seems that when they find themselves, what they have found is a selfish clod who cares only for his own pleasure and happiness.” *

As Jesus stated it, losing one’s life for His sake could include martyrdom, but it also includes living for His purposes – in His “light” – instead of our own.  It entails denying ourselves and following Him as a way of life (Luke 9:23).

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12).  Following Jesus, the Light of the World, also leads to eternal life (John 12:25).

In order to provide the light for our lives now and for eternity, Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved (John 3:16).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  For those who continue to strive to walk in the light of His Word, God will continue to cleanse them from sin (1 John 1:7-9).

Don’t continue to walk in the darkness of selfishness and sin.  That way leads to a dead end (Romans 6:23).  Come to the Light; come to Jesus.  By His salvation and direction through His Word and His example, He will provide the Light to walk through this life to an eternal home with Him (John 14:1-6).

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from Mark Winter as quoted in the Illustrations Index of www.family-times.net and “Self-Denial or Self-Actualization” by Leon Barnes in www.biblecourses.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org