Unashamed of Grace

Sunday, October 29, 2006

What do you make of this passage?

by Rose~

What do you make of these verses?

20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3)

I realize they need to be looked at in context.

Maybe this will be a new series for me or any other interested parties on this blog.

18 Comments:

The context would suggest that 'does the truth' means believe. But I dare say I will look silly if somebody has a better interpretation.

God Bless

Matthew

By Matthew Celestine, at Monday, October 30, 2006 12:37:00 AM
Yes, "does the truth" is a very abstract phrase, isn't it?

It almost sounds like he is saying "If you're good you will come to the light so everyone will see that you were godly." (but I know better)

I just want to hear what the various understandings are of this passage. We all know the previous verses so well ... and they are very simple.

Thank you for your contribution! I don't think you are silly ... then again ... look at me!

By Rose~, at Monday, October 30, 2006 4:41:00 AM
I would say the context suggests that those who practice deeds dishonestly detest anything opposed to those deeds, especially that which is true and perfect (the light). These people are being dishonest about what they practice – that it’s not right and “fear” their deeds being exposed and thereby being condemned.

But the one who is honest about his deeds comes through truth into the light so that his his deeds will testify to the truth found in God, realizing that only the truth can set them free.

By Jon Lee, at Monday, October 30, 2006 11:40:00 AM
Thank you Jon!
So you would say that it is not necessarily a desire to have good deeds recognized, but a willingness to submit all his deeds and ways to the truth and the light, whether good or bad.

Those who do the truth are not afraid to have their bad deeds exposed. Is that the unwritten implication?

Let me know if that is not what you are saying.

By Rose~, at Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:04:00 AM
I would definitely say that it's not a desire to have good deeds recognized!

Those who are honest recognize that truth reigns supreme - that even though their deeds will be made evident (good or bad), in the end it will be a testimony to what is true.

The act of submitting ones deeds to the light (truth) is an act of poverty. The poverty of Spirit is where we submit ourselves to truth upon which our gracious God - the author of truth - honors the "truthseeker" by setting him free from the darkness (lies, dishonesty).

Col 1:13 -
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Why is it that Christians readily admit that they are sinners? That they are not "good"? They do not judge their deeds to darkness (other people) - they judge their deeds to light (perfection, truth).

Darkness tells the individual - you're a good person you need not be judged, nobody's perfect - just don't look at the light! The light says come to me and I will expose your deeds by truth and the truth shall set you free.

By Jon Lee, at Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:37:00 AM
Jon,
Thanks for coming back.

I would definitely say that it's not a desire to have good deeds recognized!

I know. I would say that too. Coming to the light at salvation would be the antithesis of a desire to have good deeds recognized. I brought that up as a tongue-in-cheek thing. Remember I said:
It almost sounds like he is saying "If you're good you will come to the light so everyone will see that you were godly." (but I know better)

I hope I didn't miscommunicate by being coy.

I really appreciate what you have to say about this. It seems that you see the theme of this passage as honesty. I will be thinking about what you wrote all day today. I also think honesty about ourselves is key in our dealings with the Lord. It is refreshing going to the house of the Lord and being with those who admit that they are sinners.

Bless you brother.

By Rose~, at Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:32:00 AM
Those in sin tend to hide their sin, not wanting to be seen hence the avoidance of light.

Even Adam and Eve hid from the presence of God after sinning. Darkness is a covering for wickedness and those who practice such will avoid any light or truth.

By Jim, at Tuesday, October 31, 2006 11:29:00 AM
I would tilt toward what Jim says, that awareness of sin may keep a person from hearing out Jesus.
Maybe "deeds" means the drawing of Christ that causes someone to seek God, despite that no one does that on his own.

jodie

By Unknown, at Tuesday, October 31, 2006 8:44:00 PM
I thought somebody might have a better interpretation.

By Matthew Celestine, at Wednesday, November 01, 2006 9:06:00 AM
Jim,
I have been thinking about that. You make a good point. What about those who are preached the gospel and are in differing types of sinful lifestyles? I don't think that they always necessarily hide their sin and that is why some of them don't avoid the light, but in honesty, they come to the light to reckon with the Holy One.

Maybe the word "practice" is a key to your understanding of the text?

Thanks for your thoughts - you got me thinkin!

By Rose~, at Thursday, November 02, 2006 6:21:00 AM
Jodie,
Hi - good to see you around!
Interesting thoughts. This discussion has me thinking. Thanks for your contribution. See my comment to Jim? Do you think that awareness of sin keeps people from Christ? That is not the way I have ever looked at it.

By Rose~, at Thursday, November 02, 2006 6:24:00 AM
Im along with Jim as well. No man seeks after God and we all hide so it is descriptive of fallen man of course we know that through believing in that light that is drawing and penetrating the darkness we receive naturally and then believing then more light grows as we grow...but sometimes the light becomes a smoking flax, and thankfully Jesus said that he would not quench a smoking flax or break a bruised reed. Praise God.

By Bhedr, at Thursday, November 02, 2006 1:23:00 PM
I agree with Jim as well but I think that this passage is in reference to the Israelites. Those few who were practicing truth would come to Him while those who had turned from God would not.

By Kc, at Friday, November 03, 2006 7:56:00 AM
Thanks, Brian. I do think Jim brings up a good point. Perhaps there are a few shades of meaning to the Lord's words here. I still can't get my mind aropund the idea that those in sin won't come to the light spoken of here. I think of this light as a cleansing light, perfectly suited for those who have their life stained with sin. I think the light of Christ reaches those in sin and they can come to Him just as they are, when they are honest about their condition.

Maybe I am totally missing the point of the passage. It has happened before!

KC,
I hadn't even thought of that! I think you have given yourself away now as a dispensationalist. (hehe) I am going to re-read the whole chapter later with this idea in view. You're a great brother!

By Rose~, at Friday, November 03, 2006 8:46:00 AM
Must one be dispensational to see a given context? Perhaps so. (grin, and you're a wonderful sister too!)

By Kc, at Friday, November 03, 2006 9:22:00 AM
Rose,

I think you are right..I don't see how it differs and we must remember that we are being stung a bit by light as when someone turns on the light in a dark room we tend to resist. We do come as we are and are being awakened bit by bit as well.
Here is a good text I think:

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(*for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true*) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead *expose them*. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light *it becomes visible*, for anything that becomes visible IS LIGHT, therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you."

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what teh will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:8-21

By Bhedr, at Friday, November 03, 2006 10:40:00 AM
"I think of this light as a cleansing light, perfectly suited for those who have their life stained with sin"

Beautiful, sweet smelling thought! Your are true to your name Rose!

By Jon Lee, at Wednesday, November 08, 2006 8:57:00 AM
Oh, thank you, Jon!

By Rose~, at Wednesday, November 08, 2006 10:36:00 AM