Empower Your Heart to Dispel Darkness by Light How? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

The Secret to Empower your heart to dispel darkness is hidden within these 12 verses in Romans 2. It is God’s light. At first glance you think Paul is merely rounding out his argument for why the Jews are also sinners. They too will face judgment if they deny Christ. True. Paul is continuing to make his case here; but there are so many additional truths embedded here. Certainly, I don’t want any of us to miss the depths of truth hidden here. This is not only true of the Jews who relied on their heritage to be their salvation. However, this is also true for anyone who puts their reliance in anything for their salvation apart from Jesus Christ.

Some think they are saved by having grown up in a Christian home. Yet without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in what can they boast? They are in no better position than the sinner who grew up in atheistic home. Both are equally sinners. Others think by joining a church, they are saved. Furthermore, some think baptism saved them. Or maybe they walked an aisle caught up in the crowd with no personal conversion. Some believe they are living a good life and that is enough.

So I think we need to take a deep dive into the truth of these verses. Furthermore, we will review how the gentile believers also become heirs of Abraham. They are grafted into the family of Abraham through adoption by God the Father.

Can You Dispel Darkness by knowing the Law?

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the Law. Romans 2:17a NASB

Most of the Jewish people in that day believed their knowledge of the law and sacrifices were enough. Of this Paul was very aware. After all he is a Jew. He was better versed in Old Testament Scripture than most.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Galatians 1:13-17 (NASB)

When Paul was called by God he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He knew the law was not enough. The law he knew. Instead, he was taken away to be trained in the Gospel by Jesus Christ, himself.

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12 (NASB)

Knowing the scripture is not enough for us either. Regardless of how much we have been in churches listening and studying scripture. Not enough. Without the working of the Holy Spirit within us we cannot dispel darkness. And that is only possible if we have accepted God’s gift of salvation. What gift? The gospel of salvation by faith due to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Or Can you boast in God because of ethnicity?

Most of the Jews in that time believed that they had an automatic ticket into heaven because of their heritage. Some would boast in God as having chosen them as the elected people. It was taught that in Abraham’s Bosom they were given a free pass. Some believe that because they grew up in a family of Pastors, they have an automatic pass into heaven. But Paul continues the argument here.

Ok, since you know the Law and Boast in God, then you are saying: you know His will and distinguish the things that matter, being instructed from the Law. (Indeed you), are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth Romans 2: 17-20 NASB

Is that not the perfect picture of the Pharisees and Sadducees of which Paul had been one. Is it not also the perfect picture of those who study and profess to know God? Or of the moral spiritualists who proclaim they know how to dispel darkness. While teaching their humanistic philosophies on how to transform your life with self-meditation. Placing self and feelings first above all else. To them he asked,

You, therefore, who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one is not to steal, do you steal? You who say that one is not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you rob temples? Romans 2:21-22 NASB

So, do they dispel darkness or create more darkness?

God had instructed the Jewish Nation from the beginning to be lights into the Gentile world around them. Instead, often they incorporated the Pagan worship of their neighbors. So, often we too try to blend in with the world around us. When we must hold true to the word of God ourselves. We become wishy-washy in our faith. You must not be a gay, but if I commit adultery, well that is not so bad. Is not sexual sin, sexual sin? Or we might condemn someone for going to a bar. But then we go to watch a concert where the singer is half naked and gyrating while singing vulgar songs. Or what about that show on Netflix that includes blasphemy against God by the actions and words. But we watch it anyway. But that is entertainment. Right?

So, what was the response here?

You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” Romans 2: 23-24 NASB

In fact, we dispel darkness to block the light when we choose to participate in that which dishonors God.

Can We Dispel Darkness By Cutting It Out Ourselves?

For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. So, if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator [ae]of the Law? or he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. Romans 2:25-28 NASB

I do hope to not get too caught up in the weeds here; because there are two lines of thought we need to understand. However, there is one major conclusion from this, when we make it to verse 29. So, please hold in there with me.

First, yes Paul is talking about gentiles being grafted into the line of Abraham. Not all of God’s plans for the future concerning Israel include us. Example being during the tribulation after we have been raptured. At that time, He has a plan to open the hearts and eyes of the Jewish nation.

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3: 6-9 NASB

Also look at this one

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Galatians 3:17-24 ESV

How then Do We Dispel Darkness?

Often, we may think some act of attrition is what leads to our being able to fulfill the law. Yet, Paul says that only those who keep the law can be said to be truly circumcised. So, is he saying that some do keep the law? No, not really. He goes on to say.

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God. Romans 2:29 NASB

What does all that mean? Nothing that we can do on the outside can transform our hearts or help us to keep the law. Instead, it is a circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit. I cannot change myself.

Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6

I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them. And I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20 NASB

Only the Holy Spirit’s Circumcision of our hearts can Transform our heart from darkness to light.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26 NASB

To Dispel the Darkness we must first be Justified by Faith

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11 NASB

Then Guided by the Holy Spirit

the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. John 14:26 NASB

So, Our only way to live the Law is with the Holy Spirit Transforming us

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:16-25 (NASB)

That is the only way we can dispel the darkness. We do it by shining forth the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a world in need. And the only way we can is by the work of the Holy Spirit within us

This week someone said to me, “You are a good person. Then I thought of the moments of anger, jealousy, the failures along the way. People I have hurt. Then, I said, “No not really. But when you see good, you are seeing the Goodness of God shining through this broken pieces of my heart.” You can place a light inside a beautiful vessel. But the light inside can never dispel any darkness until a piece is broken away. For the light of Christ to shine forth we must have a circumcision of the heart. The Holy Spirit knows exactly where to break our hearts so He might fill us with His Gifts. Our hearts He fills to overflowing with Joy, Patience, love, gentleness, kindness, peace, and goodness. He writes the laws of God on our hearts. Then we have Self-control. He will Guide our every step and one day take us safely home.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Heaven’s Requirements are? The Truth About Faith and Good Deeds

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the NKJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

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