When Jesus came to this earth the people were lost, mired in sin without a means of escape. The world stood condemned because of sin and John wrote in Chapter 3:17: 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. A way out of sin had been delivered to the world. Then Jesus went on to say in verses 18-21: 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. In the foregoing verses, Jesus equated darkness with the evil deeds of man.

Evil is able to prevail when God’s people refuse to speak out to counter the darkness as sin envelopes a community. When conditions worsen, they turn to the government to solve the problems, but as history shows, government very seldom is able to change human behavior. The only way to affect change is for those who believe in God to be different from the world. Jesus said to his followers: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 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. 16 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.  Good works are those deeds which benefit others and show the love of God for his creation; and Christians can show the way to salvation and peace with God by living the new life in Christ and preaching the gospel.

In verse 13 Jesus said: 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. If Christians act no differently from the world, then how can the world see any difference in the way of God than the way it is presently traveling? Acting like the world won’t change anyone. Trying to be accepted by the world won’t change anyone. Only by showing the world that you are accepted in the beloved (Christ) will you influence the world of the lost. As Paul wrote: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9) Our labor is for Christ to show his truth and salvation.

Since the beginning of creation, mankind has been sinful and continually hates the truth as much as light since the two are synonymous. The prophets of old were killed; Jesus went to the cross; the apostles and the early Christians were executed for their belief in Christ and for preaching the gospel. Jesus addressed the hate that the people of the world held and still holds toward believers: 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  John 17:14-17.  Christians are in the world for a reason; it is to let their light shine and the prayer of Jesus remains in effect; that God protect believers from the lure of evil. He asks his father to sanctify his followers with the truth; meaning that through the truth, they will be set apart from the ways of the world to take on the nature of God.

 The writer of Hebrews wrote about the power of the word of God and it explains well why the world hates light. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13.

Remembering the Hebrew verses cited, the message is clear that Christians must take heed of the type of light which they cast. Is it the light of evil or the light of Christ? Only you have the answer.

© 11-29-2006 DEC

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