The Light Of The World

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"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). Christ told His disciples that they were the light of the world; but what does that mean? I think that the Lord’s statement to Saul of Tarsus gives us an explanation; "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:16-18). He told Saul that he would turn the people from darkness to light. In the next phrase, He explains that darkness and light is equivalent to the power of Satan and the power of God.

No one likes to be in darkness. 

It is very easy to become lost. Many times we stumble and fall over unseen obstacles. When we are in a completely dark environment, we find it very difficult to function. Spiritual darkness is the same way. The devil would have us to be lost. He wants us to stumble and fall over unseen obstacles. He doesn’t want us to know the truth lest we find our way to Christ.

Thanks be to God that He has given us 
A spiritual light to help us find our way. 

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus Christ is the true Light of the World; "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12). We no longer need to live in spiritual darkness. God has given us the true light to guide our way.

Just as Christ is the true light of the world; 
We are lesser lights. 

The world should be able to see Christ in us. Just as the moon creates no light but nevertheless is brilliant because it reflects the light of the sun, even though we were lost and without hope (Ephesians 2:12) and in spiritual darkness, now we can be a spiritual light to the world. Not because we are so wonderful but because our master is the true Light of the World.

We are to be a light to the world. This simply means that, like Paul, we are to try to guide the world out of spiritual darkness into the light of truth. Some may chose not to follow that light. Light can hurt when you have been in darkness a long time. Have we shown our light to those around us?

-- Ralph Price, December 2001 --