Life in the Dark
Have you ever walked into a pitch-black room, no light, no sound, no direction? You shuffle your feet cautiously, hands out in front, afraid of what might be there. Now imagine living your whole life like that.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
This is more than metaphor. It’s truth.
There are only two conditions before God: light and darkness. You're either walking in the light, or you're still in the dark. There's no twilight zone, no grey area, no neutral territory. That truth might be uncomfortable, but discomfort is often where growth begins.
This is where the study gets personal.
What Is Darkness?
Darkness is separation from God.
“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you...” – Isaiah 59:1–2
Darkness builds a wall, an invisible, spiritual wall that keeps us far from God. And whether you grew up religious or reckless, the wall still stands until it's torn down.
Everyone Has a Wall.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." – Romans 3:23
It doesn’t matter how moral you think you are. It doesn’t matter how spiritual you feel. Sin levels the playing field. It’s not about how we compare to others. It’s about how we compare to Christ, and on that standard, every one of us falls short.
What Is Sin?
Sin isn’t just doing bad things. It’s also failing to do the good we know to do.
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy...” – Galatians 5:19–21
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” – James 4:17
And sin isn’t free.
“For the wages of sin is death...” – Romans 6:23
That’s the cost. Not guilt. Not shame. Death. Not just physical death, but spiritual, eternal separation from God.
What Is the Light?
Jesus breaks the wall.
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again... of water and Spirit.” – John 3:3, 5
This isn’t about attending church or having good intentions. This is about being reborn.
Jesus doesn’t patch up our old life. He replaces it with something brand new.
What Must We Believe?
“Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God... you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead...” – Acts 2:22–24
Jesus came from God.
He was crucified and raised.
We are responsible for His death.
That’s not easy to hear, but when the crowd heard it, they didn’t defend themselves. They didn’t argue. They asked the question that changes everything:
"Brothers, what shall we do?"
And Peter didn’t sugarcoat the answer.
Cut to the Heart (Acts 2:37–38)
Peter replied:
Repent
Be baptized (immersed in water)
Receive forgiveness of sins
Receive the Holy Spirit
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that... we too may live a new life." – Romans 6:4
Baptism isn’t just a symbol. It’s the moment of new birth. It’s where faith meets obedience. It’s where we move from darkness to light.
Writer's Reflection
There are so many things I could say about this study. Honestly, I feel like I could write a whole book on sin alone. It’s not just a topic, it’s a battlefield. And if I’m being honest, this is the area where I feel most consistently challenged as a disciple.
Understanding sin isn’t as black-and-white as we’d like it to be. Everyone has their own definition of what’s acceptable, even in the church. Sometimes I find myself asking:
Is this a fleshly desire?
Is this pleasing in God’s eyes?
Is there ever a time where it’s okay to choose comfort over conviction?
The world will say things like: "God understands," "He'll forgive you," "Just do your best." But my question is: where does it say that in the Bible? Are we meant to obey only when it's convenient? When it makes sense to us?
These are the questions that keep me grounded and searching.
And here’s another layer: for many, sin isn’t just a moral misstep, it’s an addiction. A cycle. Something that has its hooks in deep. That’s why grace and truth have to go hand in hand. Sin needs to be treated seriously, but it also needs to be met with compassion and strategy.
I've also wrestled with this: How do you explain the gravity of sin to someone who sins “just a little”?
How do you show them that *one sin, *just one, is enough to separate us from God in the same way as someone drowning in it daily?
Because let’s be real. Most people don’t see their “small sins” as serious. They compare themselves to the world and think, “Well, at least I’m not out here doing that.” But Scripture doesn’t weigh sin on a scale. The consequence is the same:
“For the wages of sin is death...” – Romans 6:23
“All have sinned and fall short...” – Romans 3:23
Sin is not about quantity. It’s about condition. One unrepented sin leaves us in darkness.
And here's where I get even more personal: I still find myself in moments where I know what the right thing is, but I hesitate. I stall. I justify. And I’ve had to ask myself: Why?
I think it’s because I don’t always see the value of holiness in that moment. I see the cost. The discomfort. The dying to self. And sometimes, if I'm being honest, that feels heavier than it should.
So the question I keep coming back to is this:
How do you help someone see the value of righteousness, really see it, if they’ve never experienced the freedom it brings?
I think the answer is: you can’t.
But God can.
Our job is to open the scriptures, open the conversation, and let the Spirit do the surgery. Because this isn’t just about behavior change. It’s about heart transformation.
“The Word of God is alive and active... it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
So I say this to the one who thinks their sin is small:
It’s not about the size of the sin. It’s about the distance it creates.
And I say this to myself too:
If I really believed that every sin builds a wall between me and God, would I still play with fire?
May we not just acknowledge sin. May we hate it. Not because we're perfect, but because we want to walk in the light, fully, freely, without barriers.
Remnant Reflection
Are you willing to let go of tradition for truth?
Have you accepted man’s teaching over God’s Word?
Are you living as someone who has been born again?
🌿 Gardener’s Corner: Cut to the Heart Tea
1 tsp Chamomile – for reflection
1/2 tsp Lemongrass – for clarity
Pinch of Rose petals – for softness
Steep slowly. Reflect deeply. Let the Word do its work.
⛪ Closing Note
This is Part One of the Light and Darkness study from The Joseph Journal. These next two lessons may be the most challenging, but also the most transformational.
If this message helped you see clearly, share it. Tag someone. Talk about it.
And if you missed the previous study on the Kingdom of God, read it here.
Next up: Part Two – What It Really Means to Live in the Light.
Joseph I. Smith