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Let Us Be a Light unto the World
Light existed on this earth for five days before man came on the scene. Genesis 3:1 records the words of God saying, “Let there be light.” That was the first day of the Creation, and on the fourth day, the sun and moon were “set” in the heavens, one to rule the day, the other to rule the night.
We do not have to do anything for the darkness to be there - it simply exists and it takes no energy or effort for it to be dark. But it does take energy and effort for there to be light and light pushes out the darkness. But it also has to be an ongoing effort; the minute the light goes out, darkness encroaches.
It takes work to create light. You can do nothing and have darkness; the more the energy, the stronger the light. As believers, our lives are just like the electric lights. We can do nothing and we will be no different than anyone else. Or, we can work hard at letting Jesus shine forth in us and we can light up the world around us.
Christians can dispel today’s darkness by spreading the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ” in the minds and hearts of those in that darkness (2 Corinthians 4:4). You do not have to be a “preacher” to do so; you just have to take the same words of the same gospel that saves you and give it to those who have not heard or obeyed it.
The light of one candle in a large, darkened stadium can have an amazing impact on the darkness. Every Christian has the capacity of being this “candle” for family, friends, neighbors and all with whom we come in contact.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus told us we were to be salt and light among unbelievers. He also told us that we were to shine brightly for Him: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, ours is the reflected light of the Son, Jesus Christ. As such, Christians can serve as beams of light for those on today’s dangerous sea of life.
1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Walking in the light, as used here, has to do with abiding in the doctrine of Christ (2 John: 9), and “doing the will of the Father in Heaven (Mt. 7:21).
Consequently, it is very important for us to “walk in the light” with God, or be on His side, so to speak. It’s the only way we can please Him and have fellowship with Him and those who are faithful – and the only way we can ultimately go to Heaven.
How hard are you working to let your light shine?
Here are some application questions that we might want to think about earnestly how they affect our lives:
- Does it take work for there to be dark?
- How is sin like the darkness?
- Does Jesus want us to be lights? Name some ways you can be a light at home, school or work.
- How do you think we keep our lights "charged"? (Examples - Bible study, attending services, praying, spreading the word, etc.)
Blessed are they that do His commandments; that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)
“Walking in the light” is an honor, privilege and our duty as His children and all of this is made possible through His Word. Let’s be assured that we are walking with Him, united in the spirit and Word of His Truth.
Tony Patek
