Descent Into Outer Darkness

What the apostle Paul said of an earlier time is equally true of many today: “Their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21).  Darkness in Scripture depicts the deeds and fruit of evil in the world, while light represents purity and eternal life. Take  a moment to trace the path of the sinner as it descends into outer darkness.    The path begins with the shadows of doubt.  While some doubts are needed and profitable, God is not to be doubted. The beginning of sin was when Satan sowed the seeds of doubt, saying, “Hast God said…?” (Gen. 3:1-6).     As we descend further into the dark shadows, we find disobedience to God, the putting of self-will ahead of God’s will.  Sin is defined as “the transgression of the law” (James 4:17).    Through the even greater darkness of degradation, one finally arrives in the dark pit of despair and eternal death from which there is no escape except through Christ.  He promised, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16).

The message this Sunday a.m.: “The Overpowering Gloom”