LIGHT OF THE WORLD
INTRODUCTION
Light of the world is the essential mission of the Christian (Matthew 5:14) but if that light is somehow diminished it hinders that mission. Light of the world is critically needed in the darkness of human depravity that has erupted, as in the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit.
It was noted that the absence of light and 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 but now are you light in the Lord; walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Darkness indicates spiritually unenlightened, and ignorance of immorality, with the result being guilt and misery. Light is to be informed with the knowledge of truth attended by moral purity.
Light of the World
Failure
In regards to failure in being the light of the world, Jesus said: 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 to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13). It was noted that you are the salt of the earth indicates that only genuinely born-again person is salt and can help meet the needs of the world.
Salt adds flavoring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds; when those ingredients are left out; it becomes what Jesus said: Good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men (the ungodly) and opens the door for all kinds of ungodly maneuvering rather than enhancement of godliness.
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 seeing a tailspin of ungodly activity as the church allows the seeding of worldliness, secularism, and tolerance manifest itself rather than being rejected. One man of God noted: The church use to set an example for the world (being a light of the world) but now the world is setting an example for the church.
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). A man’s feet should be planted in his country but his eyes should survey the world (George Santayana).
Words uttered by those of the past are intended for the future as well; if the knowledge imparted is received. There is a continued 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.
In Greek mythology a story is told of a box sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open. She opened the box out of curiosity that loosened a swarm of evils upon mankind; a prolific source of troubles. The enlargement or scope of electronic outreach is as if Pandora’s Box has been opened and we are reaping its havoc.
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 is greatly diminished, as forewarned, with lost of godly persuasion from the church which has drifted into the Laodicea church age; a lukewarm and ineffective church (people ruling) rather than by the hand of God (Revelation 3:14-16).
Self-Willed and Carnal
Minded
There needs to be a revival in the church before it can become the light of the world! A question was asked: Which will it be Christian Biblical Values or totally secular values? We are in a crucial moment throughout what once were the Christian nations of the Western world. Many today want secular values without reference to God.
A much needed cleansing is needed, in the church, to relinquish the fleshly leadership that has enhanced a removal from the influence of God’s Word. It was noted that 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. 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.
Ingathering Influence
There is an ingathering influence towards the ungodliness of man that has blossomed forth in these latter years with a domino effect that surpasses previous eras of time. It was noted that the ongoing efforts of the sinful world is to normalize all sexual activity identified by the Bible as sexually immoral. Biblical standards of sexual morality are given by God for our well-being; 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 even been discussed in public a generation ago. Those congregations and denominations who advocate homosexual and transgender acceptance teach that Biblical prohibitions against such activity is cultural and not a commandment. Culture and convictions change commandments do not.
Walking in Darkness
Being a light of the world is not simply being in attendance at God’s house; but a daily influence, as a child of God, towards designation as a light of the world. Jesus identified one as the light in saying: He that follows after me shall not walk in darkness 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 Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).
Then comes a promise towards one identified as a light of the world (the
believer walking in fellowship with God): Who resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren (other
believers) that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us
(the believer) to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile,
make you perfect (mature in Christ), establish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter
5:9-10).
Strengthening Power
The Apostle Paul revealed the strengthening power to those who are the light of the world: Who shall separate us 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 loved us (the Lord Jesus Christ) (Romans 8:37). Therefore, present your bodies a living sacrifice (light of the world), holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (rational) 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. It is imperative that with the light of the world designation placed upon a believer they have an obligation to live up to the standards identified in God’s Word.
Community of Light
It was noted that in a world full of shadows, it is sometimes difficult for us to believe we can really make a difference. Sometimes our little light seems small indeed. Sometimes the darkness looks overwhelming. But throughout history of the church it has been a community of light that cannot be quenched.
Apostle Paul revealed that Christ loved the church, gave himself for it (on the Cross), that he might sanctify (set it apart) and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Word of God), that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). A light of the world requires the church to be of a holiness nature not a worldly attribute.
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