Blinded by the Darkness
I've had it happen more than once. I've traveled to a far city, often by myself, for a conference or meeting or something like that. I'm in my hotel room, but in the middle of the night I wake up and have absolutely no idea where I am. It's dark, and all I know is that the bed I'm currently in is not my own. Where am I? What am I doing here? Once the light turns on, I know where I am, but in the darkness, I'm blind and lost.
Ever felt that way? Blinded by the darkness? It's a strange image. We usually think of being "blinded by the light," like when you suddenly walk outside into the bright sunshine and you can't see for a moment. Your eyes are overwhelmed by the sudden intrusion of light. But blinded by the darkness? We don't usually think about that.
Yet, that's what John says happens to us spiritually when we choose to hate a brother or sister. And he's talking about fellow Christians here. When a conflict with a fellow believer ("brother or sister") leads us to hate them, John says it's like the light has been turned out and we become "blinded." We've lost our way. The darkness that comes over us makes it difficult to move forward. As the hate grows, so does the darkness until we are left stumbling along. We do not know where we are going, or even where we are (1 John 2:9-11).
Hatred is a powerful thing. Left unchecked, it can destroy a fellowship. That's why Jesus urged us to make things right as quickly as possible. If we are offering our gift in worship, Jesus says, and we remember there is a brokenness in a relationship with someone else, Jesus urges us to leave the gift behind, make things right and then come back to worship. It's that important (see Matthew 5:23-24).
However, Paul gives us something else to remember. In Romans, he reminds us that we can only do so much. Paul puts it this way: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (12:18). If the other person refuses reconciliation, you can not force them into it. But we are responsible to do whatever depends on us to do. In John's terms, we're called to be walking in the light, turning our back on the darkness. If the other person chooses to remain in the darkness, we may not be able to change that.
In C. S. Lewis' book The Last Battle, there is a struggle for the soul of those who live in Narnia. The dwarves, who are only for themselves, insist on living in the darkness "where no one can see them." Even when it is light all around them, all they can see is darkness because they live only for themselves. "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs!" they cry out. Even the great Aslan (the Christ figure) cannot bring them out of their chosen darkness. When a person becomes entirely self-centered, they truly are blinded by the darkness. Lewis' story is, on one level, a cautionary tale: do not let the darkness overwhelm you. Make choices now (like making things right with brothers and sisters) that will allow you to live in the light.
Ever felt that way? Blinded by the darkness? It's a strange image. We usually think of being "blinded by the light," like when you suddenly walk outside into the bright sunshine and you can't see for a moment. Your eyes are overwhelmed by the sudden intrusion of light. But blinded by the darkness? We don't usually think about that.
Yet, that's what John says happens to us spiritually when we choose to hate a brother or sister. And he's talking about fellow Christians here. When a conflict with a fellow believer ("brother or sister") leads us to hate them, John says it's like the light has been turned out and we become "blinded." We've lost our way. The darkness that comes over us makes it difficult to move forward. As the hate grows, so does the darkness until we are left stumbling along. We do not know where we are going, or even where we are (1 John 2:9-11).
Hatred is a powerful thing. Left unchecked, it can destroy a fellowship. That's why Jesus urged us to make things right as quickly as possible. If we are offering our gift in worship, Jesus says, and we remember there is a brokenness in a relationship with someone else, Jesus urges us to leave the gift behind, make things right and then come back to worship. It's that important (see Matthew 5:23-24).
However, Paul gives us something else to remember. In Romans, he reminds us that we can only do so much. Paul puts it this way: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (12:18). If the other person refuses reconciliation, you can not force them into it. But we are responsible to do whatever depends on us to do. In John's terms, we're called to be walking in the light, turning our back on the darkness. If the other person chooses to remain in the darkness, we may not be able to change that.
In C. S. Lewis' book The Last Battle, there is a struggle for the soul of those who live in Narnia. The dwarves, who are only for themselves, insist on living in the darkness "where no one can see them." Even when it is light all around them, all they can see is darkness because they live only for themselves. "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs!" they cry out. Even the great Aslan (the Christ figure) cannot bring them out of their chosen darkness. When a person becomes entirely self-centered, they truly are blinded by the darkness. Lewis' story is, on one level, a cautionary tale: do not let the darkness overwhelm you. Make choices now (like making things right with brothers and sisters) that will allow you to live in the light.
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