Jack the Ripper swept terror through London over a century ago. How did he get close to the victims that fell to his cunning? He came to them in the dark of the night. He was a wink of light, an attraction, and in that moment, each person's fate was sealed.
Today, Jack’s crimes would pale by magnitude. Modern day experts have concluded that only five women lost their right to live at his hand. In contrast, 160 people died when Timothy McVeigh bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Nearly 3,000 met their end in the World Trade Center catastrophe. Yet, Jack the Ripper’s perverted manner of taking lives was especially gruesome.
If Christians venture into the night, the specter of sin will shadow our every step; and in a wink of attraction, we’ll be sucked in. The Word warns us to watch where we walk, so that we remain in the light.
Proverbs 3:7 tells us not to trust in our own judgement, but to run from sin straight to the brilliance of Christ.
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
Jeremiah 9:23 says wisdom and riches are a wily trap, leading us into the shadowy pitfalls of sin.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.’ ”
Romans 12:16 encourages us to accept others without judgment, if we want to find the light in the darkness.
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Proverbs 26:12 reveals arrogance as a hidden downfall that we must avoid at all costs.
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Proverbs 3:5 paints a vivid path towards the light.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Jack the Ripper’s victims might very well have lived if they had avoided the darkness. Another 2.5 million female Londoners survived unscathed. The best way to walk with Jesus is to avoid sin. Instead of walking in the darkness, we need to run to the light.
Jesus shines in the darkness as a beacon of hope for all who wish to find him.
Copyright © 2016 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally Published 7-5-2016 in Hope