Light in the darkness

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5, ESV)
La lumière luit dans les ténèbres, et les ténèbres ne l'ont point reçue. (Jean 1:5, LSG)
Y mae'r goleuni yn llewyrchu yn y tywyllwch, ac nid yw'r tywyllwch wedi ei drechu ef. (Ioan 1:5 BCN)

The other day a friend was talking about Christmas and how God loves the world so much he sent his Son to do everything necessary for man to re-establish his relationship with God.

(Two essay questions for you - 1. Discuss the translations of John 1:5 above. 2. Discuss the statement made by my friend. Don't send your essays to me, though!)

France is very dark. It really is. The churches are small. And tragically mainstream Christian churches are smallest of all. Unhelpful (at best) new diversions have overwhelmed straightforward Christian truth. Meanwhile the populace at large is basically untouched by the gospel and the media are fascinated by the crazy and the outrageous.

Sometimes I am fearful.

When Paul was fearful in Corinth he had a dream of the Saviour saying that he had many people in that city. I've never had a dream like that, though I am really glad Paul did, and Paul's dream energises me!

But we are optimistic.

We are.

The gospel will triumph in France, too. You don't really think that secular humanism is stronger than God, do you! God laughs at that conceit, too.

We are optimistic because the light shines in the darkness.

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