A few weeks ago, I wrote an article titled The Solid Rock Principle of Love. It was inspired by Jesus’ conclusion to His soaring Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 7:24-25,
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.
Love for God and love for humanity is the supreme solid-rock principle upon which we can build our lives. Truly, if we could get love right, we would need no other law to guide us. But since we struggle with love, Jesus gave us additional principles to help us get it right.
The Scriptures make it clear that God is love — and God is light. This tells us something important about love. It lets us know that love thrives out in the open, where there is no darkness, no shadows, and no hiding.
John described God this way in I John 1:5-7,
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we’re going to love God and each other, then we must understand the solid rock principle of light. Light addresses authenticity. It explores the question, “What am I hiding?” Friends, we cannot seek darkness and shadows while claiming to live in love. Love flourishes in the light.
The Scriptures are full of examples of people who sought out darkness and shadows. Adam and Eve hid after they sinned. Genesis 3:8-10. King David lied and, schemed, and murdered to hide his sin with Bathsheba. II Samuel 11-12. Joseph’s brothers smeared blood on his colorful coat to hide their sin from their father, Jacob. Genesis 37:18-25.
In each example, love was not the guiding principle. Had Adam and Eve truly loved God and each other, they never would have eaten of the forbidden fruit. Had David truly loved Uriah and Bathsheba, his spectacular fall from grace never would have happened. Joseph’s brothers had they truly loved him and their father — well, you get the point. When love fails, darkness creeps in, and things get worse. Much worse.
We’re still doing it today. We erase our internet search histories. We darken windows so no one can see what we’re doing. We lock doors and cabinets to keep our stash hidden. We safeguard our passwords so no one can see the shadowy places we’ve been going on our devices. It’s all darkness.
We all need to hear this loud and clear — WE HIDE THINGS IN THE DARK BECAUSE WE AREN’T LOVING SOMEONE THE WAY WE SHOULD.
Husband, whatever you’re hiding, reveals your lack of love for your wife. Don’t gloss over it or make it seem like it’s no big deal. Ask yourself this question, “If my wife found out about this, would she feel loved or betrayed?” Wife, you can ask yourself the same question.
When love fails, darkness wins, and lives are destroyed. It’s as simple as that. The solid rock principle of light applies to every kind of relationship — parent, spouse, child, sibling, friend, neighbor, co-worker — it doesn’t matter. Simply ask this question, “If they found out about what I’ve been doing, would they feel loved or betrayed?” If your answer is betrayed, then you are living in darkness — and someone is going to get hurt.
Love doesn’t operate in shadows and darkness. If you’re hiding stuff, then it’s time to engage the disciplines of light. Now. Right now. If you wait, mark my words; it will be too late.
The Disciplines of Light
1. Accountability. Give people access to your life — all of it. Let them examine it. Stop hiding things and, locking doors, and going out after everyone else has gone to bed. Be honest enough to admit that everything you’re hiding is destructive to someone you claim to love. As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
So, get out into the light. Give the people you say you love the right to access and examine every aspect of your life. Invite their involvement in everything you do. If you want them to know how much you love them, then share all of your life with them. It will protect you — and them. That’s love.
2. Confession. We all make mistakes, so stop acting like you’re perfect. Nothing drives all of us crazier than Christians who act like they never sin. You are full of bleep, and you know it. Sorry for the expletive, but sometimes there’s only one word that makes a point.
Hypocrisy and duplicity are the dark hallmarks of the unconfessed life. You’re a fake, and you know it. Frankly, everyone else knows it too — or they’ll know it soon. Light always wins, so sooner or later, you will be found out. Friend, God loves you too much to let you get away with your duplicity.
Confession is all about being authentic. No pretense or façade. It’s hard, but being genuine always produces a far better outcome. Listen, darkness destroys the ones we claim to love. Before it happens, let the light of confession shine.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9.
