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(Walking in darkness is being in ignorance of Christ’s saving work on the cross, and refusing the truth, the truth that no man can be saved or made acceptable in God’s sight without Christ, the blood of Christ that saves.
Walking in darkness is rejecting Jesus Christ himself to save you.
Lawlessness is rejecting the only way that any man can be saved, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)

Amen to that. And it seems that the time is short before God ends the grace age and begins His 7 year work to bring in the millenial rule of of Jesus Christ on the earth and we who are in Christ are ,

Titus 2

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

The thing is ? in our own power ? we can't.
In our own self bragging, prideful, haughty self righteousness ? we disgust God.

It is God's grace, God's goodness, God's mercy that should lead us to repentance.

However ?

Many people get the message, or the idea, or main theme of " Repentance " mixed up with living a holy life ( it's not our own holiness, it's God's GIFT of holiness that he empowers us with ) .... repentance means.

In the context of what John the Baptist meant was ? turning away from your own efforts of trying to save your self in thinking that your own acts of righteousness, keeping the law ( in which NO MAN was able to truly keep fully ) and turn ( yup, that's what repentance really means, to turn, to have a change of mind ) to turn to the one who could and can save you, Jesus Christ.

Yes, I know, those who condemn the " Grace pushers " will come out of the woodwork and save that Grace does not give us a free licsens to sin.

No, wait a minute, those who are trying to keep the law, as far as the bible is concerned MUST keep the law fully until Christ comes back, or else they are condemned, they can't rely on the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross, they can't have it both ways.

Those who are trying to keep the law are rejecting Christ's atoning death and sacrifice.

And on top of that ? since they reject the one who kept the law fully and perfectly ? they are the ones who are those who are lawless since Jesus Christ is the one who could have and did keep the law, and never sinned.

Sorry Law pushers, just because someone talks about God's grace in Christ, and put's their trust in Jesus Christ and God's grace to save them does not mean that they approve, or condone breaking the law, just the opposite, besides ? those who have put their faith and trust in Christ alone have a much higher standard than keeping the law in the one who never sinned and the one who kept the law perfectly.

Matthew 5:20

International Standard Version (©2008)

" because I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! "

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)

" For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. "

So you see ? Jesus Christ is talking about a much higher standard than even those who were of the high religious leadership in Israel in his day.

Many will say to Jesus Christ on the day of judgement, Lord, Lord, didn't we do this, didn't we do that, didn't we preach in your name, cast our devils.

Matthew 7:21-23

21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. "

Yup, the law pushers will say " Gotcha " on that very last word " iniquity " ....

The writer of the book of Hebrews had some things to say to those who did not enter the promised land:

Hebrews 3 :

" 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. "
See that ? " take heed, least there be in any of you a ( EVIL HEART ) of unbelief, in departing from the living God "
Departing from the faith, i.e. depending on your own efforts, your own self righteousness, depending on keeping the law.

The promised land in the Old Testament speaks of, foreshadows our " Promised land " our salvation in Jesus Christ.

The writer of the book of Hebrews was talking to ? guess what Hebrews.

The writer of Hebrews warns, that we should be fearful that we miss, or do not enter into that " Rest " that God has for us.
Jesus Christ is our rest, i.e. our sabbath.

Rest from what ? works.

Hebrews 3 :

" 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. "

Ahh, another " Gotcha " moment.

" the deceitfulness of sin. "

Unbelief, is sin.

Some think ?

That this verse speaks of all sin or sins, no it does not, read the whole book of Hebrews, and this chapter in context.
This " SIN " speaks of a certain particular " SIN " .

And what " SIN " that may be ?

Well then, glad you asked, these few verses are talking about the " SIN " of unbelief.

Some people asked Jesus what " WORKS " what they must do of the works of God ?

John 6:

27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.