The Path of the Just
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
When the sun first begins to break the sky begins to be light. Then the sun comes up, and in the east, the light comes streaming.
But there are shadows, for the light shows all that stands in the way of complete light.
Song of Solomon 4:6 “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.”
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away. When the shadows are gone, then there is nothing between us and the Son of God, our Light source.
Our Lord, here, is inviting us to come with Him further into the Light of His love, so even the shadows “flee” away.
Now shadows are not the thing itself, but the impress of it. But it is in darkness.
What this means is that the sin itself has been taken care of:
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
But the influence of the sin or the resentment because of the consequences of the sin are still there. These are the shadows.
They are darkness, but not the substance of sin.
Many people are confused about this.
They think that if the sin is confessed, and they know they are forgiven; then all the other emotions concerning the sin, are gone to.
Suppose you have a habit of lying: you have hurt your family, people at work, etc. by your habit.
Then you are given real light about this, and you confess it. (Perhaps you say, why would we need light about lying. Surely everyone knows it’s wrong. Maybe they know in a general sense, but the offense of lying when it lays upon YOUR heart, is an eye opener.
Then it is not just “wrong, because God says so”; but then it is wrong, because you have placed the value of your family, friends, and co-workers in contempt. You have spit upon them, in order to cover yourself up.)
But even though you have confessed your sin, and asked God to cleanse you from the desire and habit of lying; the reason for it is still there to face everyday.
These are the shadows, the image of the sin, though not the sin.
The trouble with Shadows is that the influence of our Adversary, the Devil can be felt through them.
But how do we deal with shadows?
First, it is the work of the Spirit of God within you to show you what needs to be dealt with, and what needs to be put away with past things.
Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
This requires us to be in subjection to the Holy Spirit, for He asks you to be obedient to the Light He gives in these matters.
The mountain of myrrh: myrrh symbolizes death in the scriptures. And it is a mountain of myrrh, we are invited to come to, because it takes a great deal of denying self to set these things right.
It is a hill of Frankincense, because it takes very little of the Power of God to deal with these things, once we have denied ourself.
A child of the Light, confesses the fault, and the attitude; when the Holy Spirit shows it. They have the “good and honest heart”; it is “good” only because it is honest.
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
A child of the darkness says, “Oh, I can explain that away; I did that because of them, or that circumstance; it was a small thing, anyway. It was not like the really bad things I used to do. It is really their fault.”
Be a child of the Light, and when the Holy Spirit convicts you of wrong; confess it, and God will deal with what is wrong.
These shadows that remain, are shadows only; but they are there and the influence of the the Adversary can be felt through them.
They are there because of the choices we have made, true; but we can also make choices which remove them, by coming more into the Light.
Shadows do not exist in light
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
We are to go to the high noon of Light with Christ Jesus. Most do not; choosing, instead to stay in the shadowy existence of the fear of the truth.
But don’t.
God’s Light shows truth, yes, and when we see the reasons of our actions, it gives us the ability to deal with what is really behind the: “why we did what we did”.
Let’s face it, we all have REASONS we act the way we do. But have you dealt with the reasons? Or just the actions?
True Light; the Light of Life, deals with both. It frees you from both the sin and the reason of the sin.
And gives you joy.
John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Joy is one of the grandest attributes of God, himself.
Joy is not dependent upon the people or events around me.(That is happiness, which has to do with how things or people treat us.)
Joy springs from the presence of God in my life, for He is the abundant power of good, and peace.
Enthusiasm and deep delight is seen in the one who receives God’s joy.
There is direction in their lives; and purpose, even in the little things. For they are enjoying the Presence of God everywhere.
In this, we know the purifying of the Holy Spirit, assuring me that I am right with God.
I am made right with others,
And, importantly, I know that I all is well between me and myself. (How many things come from the disappointment we have about ourselves? How many times have we hated what we have done, but refused to look at it? How many times have we hidden our hurt behind a phony face of ridicule?)
These all can be brought out into the Light; AND PUT BEHIND US. WE CAN BE FREE FROM THEM.
The Joy of the Lord can become a force in my life.
It is a great light, illuminating the whole of my being; dispelling the darkness, and despair that dominates so often. He has it for us, in His Light.
The shadows do flee away in the Light of the Lord.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 