“The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:15-17 NLT)
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10 NLT)
Scriptures seem to describe two paths (Kingdoms) from the Garden to the New Jerusalem. One path describes the Kingdom of Light and leads to the earth being filled with God’s Glory (demonstrated goodness) and abundant life. The other path describes the Kingdom of Darkness and leads to the earth being filled with the ravages of sin and death.
From cover to cover the Bible challenges us to make a choice.
By the way, I believe that we are told about the darkness and death in order to recognize, resist, and overcome the enemy and anything that hinders light and life; NOT to accept it as the way it is intended to be (even in the “Last Days”). I equally believe that we are told about the light and life in order to partner with our Father (Abba/Daddy – Father/Papa) to manifest the Kingdom of Heaven (here and now) filling the earth with his glory (demonstrated goodness). This is best accomplished through faith and obedience resting in the finished work of Jesus as led by the Spirit. The Gospel never loses its power!
God is so good and His Kingdom endures forever!
Here are practical examples of how this applies to my life specifically today. These are areas in which I possess light as I am confronting darkness…
…I recognize sin and iniquity (darkness). I am resting in the finished work of Jesus my Savior. This positions me to be led by the Spirit to walk in faith and obedience for the manifestation of salvation. This sets me free from the hold of the enemy and the power and consequence of sin and iniquity to experience my true identity in Christ (light).
…I recognize sickness and disease (darkness). I am resting in the finished work of Jesus my Healer. This positions me to be led by the Spirit to walk in faith and obedience for the manifestation of healing. This sets me free from the grip of the spirit of infirmity and the devastation of sickness and disease as I experience divine health. (light).
…I recognize anxiety and depression (darkness). I am resting in the finished work of Jesus my Deliverer. This positions me to be led by the Spirit to walk in faith and obedience for the manifestation of deliverance. This sets me free from the bondage of the spirit of heaviness and the destruction of anxiety and depression as I experience peace and joy. (light).
…I recognize lack and shortage (darkness). I am resting in the finished work of Jesus my Provider. This positions me to be led by the Spirit as I walk in faith and obedience for the manifestation of provision. This sets me free from the oppression of the spirit of poverty and the limitations of lack and shortage as I experience Kingdom – Natural increase. (light).
…I recognize “natural” aging-decay and death (darkness), I rest in the finished work of Jesus my Life Giver. This positions me to be led by the Spirit as I walk in faith and obedience for the manifestation of renewed youth. This sets me free from the debilitation of the spirit of death and the diminishing effects of aging-decay and death as I experience abundant life – my mortal body being enlivened as immortality progressively swallows up mortality. (light).
Every day I have the opportunity to choose which path I will walk.
Disclaimer: I am not talking about the eternal salvation of my spirit. I was once and for all “saved” at the age of 8. I am talking about my daily experience as I choose which path I walk on here and now. This is the process of taking what I possess within my spirit in Christ and applying it to my soul (mind – intellect, emotions, will) and body. I believe this is what it means to work out my salvation with fear and trembling as my life is transformed by the renewing of my mind and the enlivening of my body.
Walk with me in the light shown through…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 511: Light & Dark