A Light In The Darkness

How can one person make a difference in such a big world? How can we as Christians make an impact and let our light shine? How can we cause others to give glory to the Father? Jesus told us:

Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a 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”.

Jesus told us plainly, that we are to be the light of this world. Now, there is need for a light because otherwise that area wouldn’t be filled with darkness. For example, if you did have a light in your bedroom in the night, how would you see? The light is necessary to show us the way ahead. So for Jesus to say this there must be some darkness in our world today. With the rise of secularism, people’s minds are being taken off of love for their God and focused on loving themselves. Jesus has called His children out to be a shining light in the darkness, to combat the forces of evil, to lift up His name, and cause people to realize how great the God of Heaven really is. Jesus is calling out a people to reflect the light of His glorious character and to cause others to want to follow Him.

Who Is The True Light?

John 8:12- Then spake Jesus unto them again saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.

Jesus is clear in this passage of Scripture- He is the light of the world and the way to eternal life. Jesus must be the centre of everything we do. We must try daily to imitate Him, to live how He lived, walk how He walked, think how He thought, and reason as He reasoned. He said plainly, that if you follow him, you SHALL have the light of life- no questions asked. This is the attitude we need to adopt: to be like Jesus at all times. If you look at His life, death & ministry, you would notice that Jesus was always humble, He never cursed anyone out, He never sought revenge against His enemies. He loved persons just by seeing them. He ministered unto them. He didn’t backtalk His parents, He never disrespected His elders, He never backstabbed, He forgave others, He never gossiped, He wasn’t rude. He lived the life that you and I should strive to live every day. The next time you feel yourself facing a difficult situation, ask the questions, “What would Jesus do?” and “Is my light shining?” and it will help you in how you act, relate to others, and it will indeed affect they type of life you live. If you follow Jesus, the powers darkness will have no power over your life.

Are you following in Jesus’ footsteps?

How Can I Be A Light?

The Bible is clear on the fact that Jesus does not want His followers to be mixed up with the world and with the things of this life. We are to be set apart, portraying the character of Christ wherever we go. Jesus said that He is the Light of the world & that we are also lights. We are to be lights, reflecting off the true Light which is Christ Jesus. We are to be a replica of Him! That means we cannot be caught up in everything the world is. Ponder this:

Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:”

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

Is your mind more focused on this world or on Heaven? In order to be lights, we must not focus on the material wealth that this world has to offer. After all, Jesus is coming back to take us to Heaven, not to leave us here on this sin-sick planet. We need to let our light shine, and let it do so boldly. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:15 that men do not light a candle and then put it under a bushel, they lift it up on a candle stick, so that it gives light unto the whole house. We cannot be shy with our witness of Christ, we must illuminate the house wherever we go. Think about it, what’s the point of having a light if you’re going to hide it away? We should be a witness at home, at school, in Church and out. Your friends and family should notice the difference in you. The only way for us to truly be the light in this dark world is to have Jesus living in our hearts. He is The Light, and He must be in us that we may be lights, reflecting His character always. Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus has a desire to live in us, in our heart, and to abide there always. So keep your mind on heavenly things, showing others the way to eternal life, by pointing them to Jesus Christ.

Is your light shining?

Living The Mandate

Let your light so shine before men: let the world know that you do not want to follow the crowd. Dare to be different! Many people claim to put God first in their lives, but their actions say a totally different thing. And like they say, “Actions speak louder than words”. Are you spending enough time in the Light to reflect It? Just because everyone is drinking that Heineken, you don’t have to give in to the temptations of the world. Just because everyone is fornicating, you don’t have to take part. Just because everyone neglects to read their Bible, you don’t have to neglect yours either. Just because everyone is smoking that marijuana, you can dare to be different! That is the purpose of being a light: when darkness looms you are to illuminate the atmosphere. This can be a means of spreading the gospel. According to John 14:6, Jesus is the only way to the Father. When others see you portraying His character in your life and realize that living for Him is the best thing you can do with your life, they will realize truly how good the Father is and want to praise Him for His wonderful mercy! When they see you being like the good Samaritan, helping those in need, forgiving those who have wronged you, and loving others they have no choice but to be drawn to God. Jesus said it this way:

John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me”.

Once the character of Christ is lifted up and He is put at the forefront, He was promised that people would be drawn. This goes hand-in-hand with being a light: lifting up Jesus, the true Light in this Dark Age. Ephesians 6:12-13 tell us that we are wrestling against the powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places and the only way to stand is to have the full armour of God! We must be enlightened. The world must see a difference in the way we speak, think, and interact with each other! Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us and verse 8 tells us that He is the same always. This means that we have no need to fear in standing up for Christ & what is right, but that we should go forth in boldness and illuminate this dark world with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ!

In conclusion, it doesn’t take an army of people to make a difference. Though the more the better, one person can make a difference in the lives of many if they pattern their life of the Saviour. All we have to do is trust God, He will take us through all our difficulties and He will be right there with you as you go through it. He loves you more than you think. This is why He has called us to be lights. He wants us to show forth His character on earth, so that some of His other children may repent, follow Him, and be saved when He comes! What a Saviour! He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This is why He wants you to shine for Him… because He loves His children so much! The Bible states that Jesus has already displayed the greatest love that can be shown:

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

What did Jesus do for you on Calvary’s Cross?

Do you love Him enough to let your light shine for Him?

God bless you!