FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

James 1:17; [I John 1:5]; John 8:1-12; 9:1-16; [Mark 2:27]; John 9:17-38; 12:44-50; Acts 26:18; I Peter 2:1-9; Ephesians 5:8-20; Philippians 2:5, 12-16; Matthew 5:12, 14-16

We have an awesome privilege in this life to be lightbearers. We can have quite an effect on people’s lives as we live and talk the Word of God. The little things we say and do, when we reach out a helping hand, or just by being the way we are, demonstrates the light that is in us.

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Everything that is good and perfect comes from Him. As God is light, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who embodied the light of God, that gospel of good news. Everything he said and did was characterized as being light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” He did not just have a “good rap.” His actions themselves proclaimed him as the light of the world. Further, he told people if they followed him, they would also have the light of life and be a blessing to people. Jesus Christ cared about people and did not allow the traditions or opinions of men to stop him from having compassion on others.

As sons of God, and as those who bear the light, this should be our heart and attitude also. There is enough judgment and condemnation in the world already. We want to make available the gospel light so people can receive salvation. So many times, people will read our lives long before they will hear our words. We do not have to conjure up our own words because God gives us the message to deliver. In Acts 26:18 the Apostle Paul capsulizes what we as believers are to do when describing his ministry. He said his purpose was “to open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

We are to carry the light of the gospel to a crooked and perverse nation. Jesus said he was the light of the world. In Matthew 5:14 he said of his disciples, “Ye are the light of the world.” What made him light? He had the nature of his Father. The same things make us light. When we speak and do those things God would have us to do, we are the lights of the world. When it is in our hearts, people will see it in our faces. When we speak it, they will note it. It is the true testimony of having that light within. As we let our light shine among men, they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. That is what we want to happen. We want people to see our good works. Why? So they will glorify God.