We are saved only through the Cross of Christ; which reflects the Light of God!

Both have been examined in their distinctness as truly theologically sound attributes of our salvation from the scourge of sin. Each one has a significance that places the truth of humanity's only manner of God’s mercy that opens the gates of heaven for us.

Anyone who finds the trap of sin becoming so attractive should walk away from its promise of blessings that will bury their soul in a confused atmosphere. This is when the hold of evil becomes like a partner and won’t let go of our desires.

Suppose for a moment that as you are slipping into another moment of sinful pleasure you’re already preparing to ask for God’s forgiveness. Satan is whispering this scenario into your consciousness; “do you think God will forgive you again?” Now the battle of principalities is going to take place and as expected the Lord is already prepared to forgive an earnest penitent a path to forgiveness through his Cross. We keep reminding ourselves what Proverbs says about a man who falls seven times a day and gets back up. (Prv 24:16). If a man falls only once and asks for mercy we have a very holy person who is perfect, spiritually. We have never found this man.

Satan is called a liar and will not leave any scenario untouched to discourage our faith of reliance on this mercy that is always available for each time we fail. We need only to look at the characters of the bible and see how many and how often these people failed before the Lord and he picked each one as an example of his chosen prophets throughout human history.

Looking at the Light of Christ as he hung on the Cross places our sinfulness in a crucible that will be removed from our presence via a light that comes from the essence of God. As John remarked in the prologue to his Gospel; “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1: 3b - 5).

From stories of people who have experienced a near-near-death event; “we were in a tunnel and were drawn to a light at the end of a tunnel.” That light is God and as we consider the reality of its effect on us, who are not leaving this earth yet, is a view of something beyond our understanding that will begin to pull back the curtain of life beyond us. We may presume that this light, dim at first, will become more brilliant as our journey into eternity and finally come into full brilliance once we are in the presence of the “Beatific Vision;” standing before God eye to eye.

This may appear to be a writer’s imagination without a substantial report with an authentic announcement of one who did in fact remember the details of his journey. However, the realization that God is Light that never grows dim is a guarantee that is substantiated in Revelation. “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rv 22: 5). This light continues throughout our human trek and is a guide for our faith.

Ralph B. Hathaway