LIGHT OF THE WORLD
INTRODUCTION
Light of the world refers to the fact that Jesus is the ultimate source of spiritual truth, guidance, and life; He calls believers to reflect that truth to others as well. Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). It was noted that just as physical light lets you see things in a dark room, Jesus revealed the character, love, and truth of God to humanity. Darkness represents sin, ignorance, and evil.
Jesus said to His disciples, and believers today: You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). It was noted that believers do not produce their own spiritual light. Like the moon reflecting the sun, they reflect the character and teachings of Jesus. Christians let their light shine through honest living, kindness, and love, which points others to God rather than themselves.
If that light is somehow diminished it hinders the essential mission of the Christian in the world. It was noted that in the absence of light darkness alone cannot dispel the light but the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness. Apostle Paul wrote: You (the believers) were sometimes (once) in darkness (sinfulness) but now are the light in the Lord; walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
Light of the World
Light and Salt
Jesus said: A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid; neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand), and it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light (as believers) so shine before men, that they may see your good works (godly lifestyle), and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
Prior to that Jesus noted: You (the believers) are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost his (its) savior (flavor) wherewith (by what) shall it be salted; it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
Concerning these verses it was noted that they describes the essential mission of the Christian to the world. They are the condition (as salt) to meet the world’s needs and have a mission (being the light) to the world; whose light is to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity.
Tailspin of Ungodly Activity
Noah H. Mack, in a sermon titled “Little Foxes” noted: This writer with much interest and prayer observed the movements and efforts of the church for more than thirty-five years; all this while it has developed a great power to work, but almost as fast as she grows in efficiency for labor she drifts into worldliness in one way or another and all because of fostered pride and love of pleasure.
Those who have been responsible for the housekeeping in the church has not been watchful enough and let the little foxes creep into the vineyard and now they are so numerous and big that they cannot be driven out by ordinary methods of teaching and warning, for they well-nigh have possession of the vineyard.
We are witnessing ungodly activity when the church allows seeding of worldliness, secularism, a progressive social gospel, and tolerance manifest rather than being rejected as in the past. One man of God noted: The church use to set an example for the world but now the world is setting an example for the church, when it is allowed.
Advancement through
Electronic Age
Quotes concerning light: There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of even one small candle (Robert Alden). Give light and the darkness will disappear (Erasmus). When God gives light he gives it for all (Spanish Proverb). A new electronic interdependence recreates the world in the image of a global village (Marshall McLuhan).
Words uttered of the past are intended for the future as well; if the knowledge imparted is received. There is a advancement in the electronic age that seeks to diminish the light of the world from going forth as it gives continued birth to ungodly maneuvering. We now have introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which gives birth to all sorts of possibilities towards both good and bad.
Permissive Day
We are living in a very permissive day when the religious world is so tolerant to most any and all kinds of standards and lifestyles. It was noted that this permissiveness and tolerance is the result of a self-willed and carnal minded society.
As a result of such tolerance and permissiveness, there are many churches, and even denominations, which have altered their teachings, their standards, and even their interpretations of the Scriptures to please, to comply with and accommodate this permissive and tolerant society. Very few people this day hold to their heart’s convictions; they change to blend in with their environment.
Light of the world has been greatly diminished, as forewarned by many voices of the past and present, with loss of adherence to the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God and drift into the Laodicean church age being the result (Revelation 3:14-16).
Christian or Secular Values
There needs to be a revival in the church, in many cases, before it can become the light of the world. A question was asked: Which will it be a Christian values or totally secular values? We are in a crucial moment throughout what were once considered the Christian nations of the Western world; for many are allowing secular values to take root rather than biblical influence.
A cleansing is needed, in some churches, to relinquish the fleshly leadership that has surfaced, due to a younger generation that has failed to embrace the teachings of the past. Scripture reveals that Jesus is coming back for a church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).
Gratify and Accommodate
There is an influence towards the ungodliness of man that has blossomed forth in these latter years with a domino effect that affects its continued light of the world category. It was noted that the ongoing efforts of the sinful world to normalize all sexual activity identified by the Bible as sexually immoral will doubtlessly continue. Nevertheless, Biblical standards of sexual morality are given by God, but also for our well-being and we are wise to recognize and honor this by moral living.
We live in a fallen world that seeks to gratify and accommodate sins that would not have been allowed previously. Those congregations and denominations who advocate homosexual and transgender acceptance teach that any Biblical prohibitions against such activity is cultural and not a commandment. Culture and convictions change commandments do not.
Shall Not Walk In
Darkness
Being a light of the world is not simply being in attendance at God’s house; but a daily influence to others as a child of God, being a light of the world. Jesus identified the believer as a light in saying: He that follows after me shall not walk in darkness (sinfulness) but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).
Apostle John wrote: God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth (practice the truth); but if you walk in the light (as light of the world), as he is in the light, we (believers) have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his (God’s) Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).
Strengtening Power
Apostle Paul revealed the strengthening power of those who are the light of the world: Who shall separate us (the believer) from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or peril, or sword (Romans 8:35). No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loves us (the Lord Jesus) (Romans 8:37).
Present your bodies a living sacrifice (as light of the world), holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). It was noted that being not conformed to this world is to resist being poured into the mold of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world.
Stand in the Gap
In a world full of shadows, it is sometimes difficult for us to believe we can really make a difference. It was noted that sometimes our little light seems small indeed. Sometimes the darkness looks overwhelming. But throughout history of the church it has always been as a community of light that cannot be quenched.
Allowing oneself to be a light of the world often opens the door for salvation of the soul to others. We may be the only source of light in a world that is allowing darkness to prevail but it can change the course of an individual, or nation, if one is willing to stand in the gap for the soul of man; that people may know that the wages of sin (living in darkness) is death; but the gift of God is eternal life (a heavenly reward) through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
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