Tag Archives: Matthew 5:14

Light in darkness

 

 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

YOU are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:15

 

These truths have been the theme of Go Light Our WorldTM (GLOW) since its inception. Many of our writings have focused on the light of Jesus shining not only into the world, but also into the depths of our own darkness, pain, and sorrow. It is a very personalized aspect of Jesus, the light of the world, illuminating the dark areas of our life, including not only the cross we bear but also shining his convicting light on our sin of wrong doing and wrong believing. His Word is a lamp unto our feet so we don’t stumble. It is a light unto our path so we are not without direction in our lives. What a gracious God we have that cares for us enough to bring us out of our personal darkness.

 

Jesus said, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” But His light, expressed all throughout the gospel, was never intended to be simply a comforter we wrap around ourselves. It is living hope for a desperate and dark world! He says, “You are the light of the world.” Our response is to take His light and run to the darkness. The darkness might not understand the light any more than we fully grasp the light in the darkness of our personal struggles. None the less, the darkness will not overcome the light.

 

The physician Luke wrote:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…”       Luke 4:18

 
Adlai Stevenson, in tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt upon her death said, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Shouldn’t that be our reply as well?! Instead of cursing the darkness in your own life, be it depression, pain, disappointment, or other woe, let the light of Jesus shine in you and it will in turn shine into our world. It is the reason you were created.

 

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold.
There is a Spirit who brings a fire,
Ignites a candle and makes His home

 

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world.

(Chris Rice lyrics, Go Light Your World)

 

 

BEING the light of the world

 

 


“You are the light of the world.” – Jesus, to His followers (Matthew 5:14)

 

We may be tempted to think being a light bearer, the light of the world, is all about doing all sorts of grand things. Or, like the random act of kindness movement, doing all sorts of small things to randomly brighten a person’s day. It’s not a bad thing to do. But there is a way to shine even brighter.

 

Light is not only revealed by what it does.

What it does IS what it is.

 

That is the message of James to us. It shines because that is its nature. It doesn’t hide under a bushel and then once in a while jump out to shine. Being the light of the world is to let your everyday character reflect your God-given hope with others. It illuminates darkness by shining truth, love, grace, and peace.

 

James tells us in the fourth chapter that this kind of light submits to God (period). After all, He IS light. Just as two candles, when drawn together become brighter, so our light is brighter when we draw close to God. Our light doesn’t quarrel with others, especially over petty things. It doesn’t consider itself friends with the world’s ways.  Unlike my old flashlight whose lens is scratched and obscures the light, our light seeks to be pure.  That is, we must submit our thoughts, motives, actions, and even our life ambitions  before God and ask Him to make us pure. How otherwise can our light shine clearly when it is dulled by our worldly ways? We are either friends with the world’s ways or friends with God. We can’t have it both ways.

 

Acclaimed researcher George Barna repeatedly finds that the thoughts and ways of many Christians in the United States are not very much different from those of unbelievers. If that is the case with you and me, how can our darkness bring light to others?!

 

James warns us that our life plans are futile, “like mist that vanishes”, if they are not submitted to God. He also reminds us that it is not just the way we live selfish, self-absorbed lives, but the fact that we ignore the needs of others – our sins of omission – that drag us down. Perhaps we just don’t care enough about others who walk this path with us. God will give you the desire if you ask Him to give you eyes that see as He does.

 

BEING the light of the world reveals the nature of God’s love. THIS is the light that shines into the darkness of a twisted world that is filled with darkness. BE the light of the world today by becoming who you were meant to be!

 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ” James 4:7-8

 

 

Let your light shine

 

 

 

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

As a boy scout we would have skits at camp. Most all the skits were guaranteed ‘groaners.’ For example, the skit where one boy was desperately searching an area of ground in the lighted area. Another boy comes along and asks what’s going on. The first boy replies that he lost a quarter and is looking for it. The second boy asks where the quarter was lost. “Over there,’ answers the first boy, pointing to an area in the darkness. Confused, the second boy asked, “Then why are you looking over here?” The first boy responded, “The light is better over here!” (Permission to groan now.)

 

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) That light shines on because the darkness has never overpowered it. (John 1:5) Whoever asks Jesus to be Savior AND Lord of their life, always has light available to them wherever they go. If they go into the darkness of cancer or other life threatening condition, the light will shine into that darkness. If they go into perilous financial situations, the light goes with them. If they go into the dark abyss of depression, they will not remain without light. Whether we decide to live in that light is our decision to make.

 

Light dispels darkness. No matter how much darkness there is, “this little light” of ours cannot be quenched without our permission. As Sarah Young puts it, “His light shines on and in you, allowing you to shine your light boldly in the darkness.”  With light comes hope. And with hope comes endurance, the ability to persevere and find comfort even in the midst of the roughest season of your life.

 

Jesus says to those who follow Him, “YOU are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Don’t hide it, let it shine, His light in us is the mark of a believer.   Our job is to love God and love others, to let our light shine in dark places, where others are hurting and without hope.

 

Is this light of hope shining in your own life and in your response to disappointments and sorrows? Of course we doubt and grieve. That is part of our human existence. But we don’t have to live there. Does your light regularly shine into other’s lives through encouraging words, financial help, or an encouraging embrace to those around you facing tough times? Does your light shine across the world? For about a dollar a day you can sponsor a child through Compassion International (www.compassion.com), write to them, pray for them, encourage them, and shine hope into their lives. You can also visit our giving page here at Go Light Our World and learn how 100% of designated donations go directly to ministry, often in the poorest and darkest areas of the world.

 

Take your light and let it shine! Go light our world!