God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
John 1:6-13 NLT
Jesus gives light.
I saw a meme recently that was based on a quote from Roger Biden, who was apparently a professor at Oxford (from what I read about him in this article that Google provided about some pretty sad charges of oppression and racism): https://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/apr/08/highereducation.raceineducation I can’t be 100 percent sure that this is the accurate source of the quote, but that is who the Internet appears to attribute it to. So here it is:
Jesus. Mocked and rejected then, mocked and rejected now.
But what is worse than the lost and the unbelieving mocking something they cannot understand because it has not yet been revealed to them? Someone who knows the truth of the gospel and still denies Christ as the way to righteousness — by rejecting the command they were given to live a holy life.
And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
2 Peter 2:20-22 NLT
So there are those who will be shocked and offended by this meme and quote put out by an atheist — who should instead be shocked and humbled before God because they have been rejecting God’s command to live a holy life.
And don’t think that I’m standing high claiming innocence myself. No, I’m convicted by this and I’m compelled to examine closely and honestly in this area as the Word says “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the Faith, test yourselves…”
And to this, I say thank you God for the good news of the gospel so that we might repent while there is time — from any foolish, prideful stance as if we know it all and could mock the justice and commands of God.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. – 1 John 1:8-10 NLT
Let’s be aware of how we can recognize these false teachings and avoid them. If teaching allows for shameful immorality, we see in 2 Peter chapter 2 that these teachers are false and are slandering the truth. If they are making up clever lies to get a hold of your money, they are liars like their father the devil. If they follow their own twisted sexual desires, if they resist authority, if they are proud and arrogant, and indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight, the Lord opposes them, in fact His curse is upon them. Read 2 Peter chapter 2 for yourself. These are not my words, but are the Word of God. Be careful little ones, stay close to the truth and do not veer off the path.
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Harold J. Ballinger 