YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
By W, G, Guy
Yes, Jesus declared that we, those of us who are in Christ, and in whom Christ is in, are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14-15 – 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.
Note that Jesus also said that we are to let that light be seen and not hid. Light that is hid cannot accomplish what light is designed to do. First of all we need to understand that this light is a spiritual light; the light that comes from God, because God is LIGHT.
1 John 1:5 – This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The light of God was obviously in Jesus, the Son of God, who declared the He is the LIGHT.
John 8:12 – 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.
in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
We who believe and receive Him as Savior and Lord also receive His light in us so that we can shine the revelation of Him in this world of darkness.
1 John 1:6 – If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
Just what is it that light is; and what does light do?
Light is illumination and revelation, revealing what needs to be seen. Light also expose what is hidden in darkness; what is unseen of deliberately hidden from view. This especially applies to evil, wickedness, corruption and evil and all the works of Satan, demons and the occult with its witchcraft.
Light illuminates our path so we can walk without stumbling and avoid pitfalls in truth and righteousness.
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
To see clearly what is before us as we traverse this mortal life need to have that spiritual light shining. It’s like driving a car at night when headlights are necessary so you can see where you are going. There are those who refuse to see and do not have their eyes open to what is really driving the evil in this world.
Matthew 6:22-23 – The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Darkness represents evil, and there is so much evil, corruption and violence in this world that people have become so used to it that they just accept it. Most people fail to realize that this moral corruption is the exception and not the standard way of living as God ordained it for mankind. Consider what Jesus gave us as a proper way of living as God ordained for us as His children: it was part of the LORD’S prayer:
Matthew 6:9-10 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Life on earth is supposed to be the way life is in heaven, moral, upright, just and true: and it will be again when Jesus return to establish his dominion over the earth. Nevertheless, he calls for believers to seek that way of life now. Thus we believers are to have a positive influence in this world to show and lead the way.
Consider also what Jesus said before He spoke of us being His light in this world of darkness.
Matthew 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Salt is used as a preservative; it can keep meat from going bad, rotting or decomposing. The positive influence of Christ in us is to have a preservative effect on others to prevent, or overturn, fleshly corruption. Looking at conditions in the world it is obvious that we, as Christ’s ones, are not accomplishing what our LORD intended for to do and be. It appears that in too many cases, the light has gone out.
Jesus foretold that such a condition would be evident before His return.
Matthew 25:1-13 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Why did half of those who were expecting the coming of the bridegroom fail to join into the festivities? It is because THEIR LIGHT WENT OUT!
So the question posed to you is – is your light shining brightly? Or are you in need of the oil to fuel your light? Jesus changes us from darkness to light. His Holy Spirit in us is that oil!
1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
