Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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      From Darkness to Light in Christ
Bible Reading:   Acts 26:8–18


Key Verse: "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.”   Acts 26:18


DEVOTION

Acts 26 records St. Paul’s defense before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. This speech is a testimony of his transformation. Paul recounts his own encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his apostolic legitimacy, commission to the Gentiles, and the resurrection hope. The rhetorical presentation of Paul, a former persecutor, standing trial as a witness to the very faith he once tried to destroy illustrates the theme of moving from darkness to light.
Paul mentions why belief in resurrection is considered incredible. For him, the resurrection of Christ is a historical reality that demands personal response. It is a decisive act of God breaking into history, defeating death, and beginning new creation. In verses 9–11, Paul confesses about persecuting Christians in the name of religious purity. His darkness was cloaked in religiosity. Here, we are reminded that zeal without truth can become violent, and that religion without relationship can blind us to God. Therefore, the essence of call to discipleship is not merely believing in Christ rather it should result in transformation.
Personal confrontation with Christ was the turning point in Paul’s life. The blazing light at noon (26: 13) is symbolic of divine revelation that was overwhelming, disorienting, and irresistible. That resulted in Paul becoming blind physically but enlightened spiritually. Therefore, moving from darkness to light involves being stopped, searched, and sent with a re-formation in our life. His mission (Acts 26:16) was not just to preach, but to open eyes, turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. This echoes Isaiah 42:6–7, where the servant of the Lord is described as one who is sent to open blind eyes and set captives free. The gospel breaks spiritual blindness, sets people free from demonic dominion, and grants the gift of forgiveness and inheritance among the sanctified (Acts 26:18).
 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Open our eyes to see Your truth. Interrupt our paths where we wander from You, and send us as servants and witnesses, that others may find freedom in You. Amen.


Thought for the day

The light of Christ exposes our darkness; not to shame us, but to heal and send us.
                                                        
 Rev. Dr. Pramod Zachariah
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY

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