Christ's light in the world

christi light in the worldThe contrast of light and darkness is a metaphor often used in the Bible to contrast good with evil. Jesus uses light to represent himself: “The light came into the world and people loved darkness more than light because what they did was evil. For anyone who does evil hates the light; he does not step into the light so that what he is doing is not revealed. However, those who follow the truth in what they do step into the light and it becomes evident that what they do is founded in God »(John 3,19-21 New Geneva translation). People who live in darkness are positively influenced by the light of Christ.

Peter Benenson, a British lawyer, founded Amnesty International and said publicly for the first time in 1961: "It is better to light a candle than to curse the dark". So a candle surrounded by barbed wire became the emblem of his society.

The apostle Paul describes a similar picture: “Soon the night will be over and the day will come. Therefore let us part with the deeds that belong to darkness and instead arm ourselves with the weapons of light ”(Romans 13,12 Hope for all).
I think we sometimes underestimate our ability to influence the world for good. We tend to forget how the light of Christ can make a huge difference.
«You are the light that illuminates the world. A city high on the mountain cannot remain hidden. You don't light a lamp and then cover it up. On the contrary: it is set up so that it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light should shine before all people. By your deeds they should recognize your Father in heaven and honor him too »(Matthew 5,14-16 Hope for All).

Although darkness can sometimes overwhelm us, it can never overwhelm God. We must never allow fear of evil in the world because it causes us not to look at who Jesus is, what He did for us, and what we are told to do.

An interesting aspect about the nature of light is why darkness has no power over it. While light drives away darkness, the reverse is not true. In Scripture, this phenomenon plays a prominent role in relation to the nature of God (light) and evil (darkness).

«This is the message that we heard from him and which we proclaim to you: God is light and in him there is no darkness. When we say that we have fellowship with him and yet walk in the dark, we are lying and not doing the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin »(1. John 1,5-7).

Even if you feel like a very small candle in the middle of penetrating darkness, even a small candle still offers life-giving light and warmth. In a seemingly small way, you reflect Jesus, who is the light of the world. It is the light of the entire cosmos, not just the world and the church. He takes away the sin of the world, not only from believers but from all people on earth. In the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus the Father has brought you out of darkness into the light of a life-giving relationship with the Triune God, who promises never to leave you. That is the good news regarding every person on this planet. Jesus loves all people and died for all of them, whether they know it or not.

As we grow in our deeper relationship with the Father, the Son and the Spirit, we glow ever brighter with the life-giving light of God. This applies to us as individuals as well as to the communities.

«For you are all children of light and children of the day. We are neither of the night nor of the darkness »(1. Thes 5,5). As children of light, we are ready to be light bearers. By offering God's love in every possible way, the darkness will begin to fade and you will become more and more reflective of the light of Christ.

The Triune God, the everlasting light, is the source of all "enlightenment", both physical and spiritual. The Father who called the light into existence sent his Son to be the light of the world. The Father and the Son send the Spirit to bring enlightenment to all people. God lives in an inaccessible light: «He alone is immortal, he lives in a light that no one else can endure, no one has ever seen him. To him alone are honor and eternal power "(1. Tim. 6,16 Hope for all).

God reveals himself through his spirit, in the face of his incarnate Son Jesus Christ: «For God, who said: Light shall shine out of the darkness, has given our hearts a bright glow so that enlightenment would arise for the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ »(2. Corinthians 4,6).

Even if you have to look suspiciously at first to see this overwhelming light (Jesus), if you look at it longer you can see how the darkness is being chased away far and wide.

by Joseph Tkach