Living in darkness or light?
By Paul Bawden
October is an interesting month, to say the least.
Halloween will be celebrated by many on October 30. Halloween is a derivative of Hallows eve. The emphasis on spirits, goblins, witches, skeletons, and other dark images came about that the dark forces were very active just before All Saints’ Day (all Hallows Day) observed on November 1.
Why so? To hinder the prayers for the dead that would be offered on All Saints Day. The practice of trick or treating goes back to the Middle Ages when people would go door to door begging food in exchange for their prayers for the dead.
Along with Halloween being celebrated, there is the commemoration of the Protestant Reformation on October 31, when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.
His action eventually brought new life to the church which spread globally. Salvation was no longer based upon one’s tainted works, but solely on the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ, which message still reverberates around the world, bringing Light to all who believe in Him.
What a contrast between darkness and light. That which gives acknowledgement to what is related to the darkness, and that which brings light to all who have faith in the Savior.
The bottom line is this: Is Halloween just celebrated for fun, no recognition of the darkness even in the trick or treating? Or, is it celebrated because one is giving credence to honoring the death and evil it ultimately represents, even in the customs worn? In our small city we see some yards with skeletons – some large, tombstones, and other dark images. I even saw a vehicle with a spare tire on the back with a skeleton attached to the top of the tire.
On the other side of the coin is the Light, which the Protestant Reformation brought anew to biblical Christianity. That’s why Christ said, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12).
Individuals can have different views regarding Halloween, but the real issue is: “What have you done with Jesus Christ, the true light of the world?”
Only the true Light exposes us in our sinfulness and then provides us His forgiveness and eternal life as we trust in Him, meaning He gives the believer a whole new way of living. The believer now knows his faith is based on the Bible, the eternal word of God, and that God created human life valuable from conception to one’s death. He knows there are only two sexes, male and female, and that marriage is between a man and woman.
The believer understands that his purpose on planet earth is to be an image bearer of the Light of the world, displaying His character by relying on His inner power, keeping alert – able to discern between the good and the bad, light and darkness, while standing firm in the faith, acting like a man (mature spiritually), being strong in the Lord, and in whatever he does, he shows the love of Christ (I Cor. 16:13; 13:4-8a). Even in the difficulties of life he knows the Lord is with him encouraging him on, and eventually he will arrive in His presence after this life.
May you know personally the Light of the world, displaying His Light to a dark world, as you enjoy living for Him!!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He writes for Union Gospel Press, as well as being a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, bike, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe.
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