by Elder James Groce

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse; because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Romans 1:20-21

Darkness– an ebony veil that prevents the beams of radiant light from penetrating– an insurmountable wall of pitch that separates– a gaping void that isolates– darkness– the place of misery, and ignorance.

There are two kinds of darkness mentioned in the Bible. One type of darkness is the environment shared by all those that have never seen the light (and from which we all had our conversation). Thank God that
“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” For once we all were among those “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Praise God for the Acts 2:38 New Birth message!

But there is yet another type of darkness. And this darkness is a more fearful state than that of the first. It is a journey not from darkness into light, but rather a journey from light into darkness.

Notice the scripture text of Romans 1:21, “Because that, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD… .” This most assuredly is not the plight of someone without revelation, but someone who has had a prior knowledge and has failed to glorify God as God, neither were they thankful, therefore “their foolish heart was DARKENED.”

Someone has said, “No man is quite so blind as the man who refuses to see.” And it can also be said that– no darkness is quite so great as that of self- induced blindness.

All around us, day by day, we see the multitudes that have never seen the light, and oh, how our hearts are made heavy that it might move us into the Lord’s harvest. But there is an altogether different feeling
associated with those that have turned their backs on God’s glorious light. We feel pity and remorse and, yes, even anger for the reproach that many have brought against the truth.

Isaiah long ago forewarned, “Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” Beware the agents of hell are plying for your soul. Already we have seen vast numbers of one-time
oneness, holiness believers turn their face away from the Light and now feel comfortable with trinitarian doctrine. They now advocate that “Jesus Name” baptism is not essential and that speaking with tongues was never a fact. They openly ascribe salvation to the unscriptural “accept the Lord as your personal Savior” jargon. They have dropped all manner of holiness standards and look and speak like the world that they once shunned. Yes, their “foolish heart was darkened.” And how great is that darkness!

Faithful saint if you lose “the love of the Truth,” you will perish. How thankful your lips should become in praising God for a faithful, oneness, holiness, devil hating preacher that helps to keep that love for Truth alive in your heart.

The man who hath within
No guiding Light,
Walks ‘neath the blazing sun
As in the night.
Whom God’s illumines dwells
In undimmed day.
‘Mid storm and night he treads
A clear, sure way.