# 7 Out of Darkness and Into Light

Joh 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

The true Light of course is Jesus. He affirmed that for us in  Joh 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

This Light is an ever present reality and man needs to be “enlightened” with the Light of Jesus in order to enter into eternal life. As a Christian, by the grace of God, the Light” has been borne to you, now you and I must bear it to others! Ac 13:47 "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Several years ago, I read a book entitled, “Spirit of the Rain Forest.” It’s the story of a shaman or witch doctor who lived in the rain forest of Venezuela. This shaman was possessed of many evil spirits, and he talked of the times he traveled in the spirit world to what he called “enemy territory.”

In reality, the enemy territory was the One true living God’s territory. It was “Jesus Country!” To the shaman it was “enemy territory because God is the enemy of the devil, demons, and evil spirits.  The shaman said that this “territory” was a place of “great light,” and I think that’s very relevant to our text today.

The Light is here, there, and everywhere! Even a shaman in the deepest and darkest part of the jungle knows of the existence of this Light…..and he trembles. Just as it says in  Jas 2:19, You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!

This shaman would still be living in fear and darkness were it not for the light bearing missionaries who came to Venezuela, and like John the Baptist, “bore witness to the Light.”

Jesus told His disciples “You ARE the light of the world!” There is no option for the follower of Christ. This is not  a command, it is a statement of fact. “You ARE! So, Mt 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

This shaman was eventually won over to the Light as he observed the changes in those of his tribe who had “asked their old spirits to leave and invited the all-powerful Spirit of God to take their place.” These tribesmen had become little light bearers to lead this shaman out of darkness into the true Light.

Let us take heart here and climb out from under the bushel basket and point people to the One true Light!