By AYING GODMAN | Evangelist & Educator | Founder of Catholic Front Good News Ministry for JESUS CHRIST
On the mountain Jesus said to the crowds: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. Instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5 14-16)
We know that in the beginning God created the sun, the moon and the stars to light the universe. On earth human beings made oil lamps, candle lights and cellular and electrical bulbs to light houses and streets. However, the physical lights that we see every day are not the real light. In this post we are led to see the real light – in order to light ourselves and to shine out to world as the chosen people of God (1 Peter 2:9).
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1. THE DARKNESS OF THE WORLD
St Paul, the Apostle, says: “In the Lord’s name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)
Therefore, if we are called to be the light of the world it is because the world is living in darkness of sin and indifference. For the ignorance of God is the root of all evil (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:17-21; Hosea 4:: 1-7). The physical lights – though useful for our material wellbeing – often corrupt the minds and hearts of people – leading many astray. God wants us all to walk and live in his light – so that we will not face his judgment and miss eternal life (Acts 17:29-31).
2. WORLDLY LIGHT VS SPIRITUAL LIGHT
The scripture exhorts us, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:2)
So the true light is not the light of the sun, moon, electric or solar bulbs, oil lamp, or body cream (Isaiah 60:19-20) – it is the light of the Word of God (John 1:4-5).The physical lights are counterfeit lights that shine only on the body – and tend to corrupt the soul, hearts and human consciences. They even cause human beings to sin by pride, corruption, idolatry, adultery, theft, murder, lust and all forms of sexual perversity. (Galatians 5:19-21). That is why we have to wear clothes to cover our bodies – and in some cultures women put on veils to hide their faces – so that they do not show or allow others to see – what may cause them to sin.
Moreover, to be the light of the world is not by pride, and pomposity, or by the suppression and domination of others. For human intelligence, knowledge, ideas, talents and skills, as well as, celebrity, power and riches are the gods of the world, that blind many people to the light of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). Whereas God’s wisdom, knowledge, and works, shine out through us who are faithful children of God. (1 Peter 2: 9).
3. JESUS IS THE REAL LIGHT
“Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12)
The heavenly lights (Genesis 1:3-5) – the sun, moon, stars, represent and prefigure the real light – the light of God. (John 1:3-4; 8:12; John 1:1-6, 9) Before Jesus was born there was daylight in the world but the minds and hearts of the people were in darkness (John 1:9-10). That is why many people did not acknowledge or accept him as the Son of God.
The real light is the saving, glorious and prospering presence of God (Revelation 21:23 -25), to where we are led and fulfilled by his living and active Word (Psalm 119:104-106). It is the light that shines from the soul and covers all – body, soul and spirit. That is why in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve – when they had not yet eaten the forbidden fruit (original sin) – could not see the nakedness of each other; even though they were naked. (Genesis 3:7).
4. WE ARE CALLED TO SHINE OUT
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Scripture reminds us, “But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, and the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
We are called to shine in the world because we were created in the very image of God (Genesis 1:26); – God who is all-light, and has no darkness at all in him (1 John 1:5). Although, we lost this glory because of sin, we were redeemed by the blood of Christ (Romans 3:23-24) when we repented and became the children of God (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6). It is through this redemption that we are called to be like Christ himself – the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Moreover, we are called to be the light of the world because we have been baptized into the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9) to lead the world into the eternal light that emanates from the Word of God. This Christian leadership is shown by living and witnessing for Jesus Christ – by the prompting of scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This is an inherent and delicate Christian duty – for God would hold us responsible if we lead the world astray. (Luke 17:1-2, Isaiah 9:16-19, Micah 3; 5-12). But the scripture says “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).
5. WE MUST CONNECT AND STAY CONNECTED
“I am the vine, and you are the branches,” says the Lord. “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)
The truth is that we can’t give what we don’t have. So we can’t shine out if we don’t have light in us. To be the light of the world we must first of all be lighted by God. In other words, the light that makes us shine, as children of God, is not our human radiance but the light of the Holy Spirit that shines in our souls (2 Corinthians 4:6). To shine as the light of the world we must be permanently connected to the real Light – Jesus Christ – who brings light to the world (John 1:1-5; 8:12).
6. CONDITIONS FOR CONNECTION TO DIVINE LIGHT
It is written: “Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them.” (John 14:23).Therefore, the preconditions for divine connection to shine as light of the world are faith, repentance, baptism (John 3:5), obedience to the Word of God (Philippians 2:15), love, fellowship and prayer (Matthew 26:41).
When we repent from our sins, we turn away from the darkness of the world to embrace the light of God (1 John 1:5-7). This conversion is fulfilled by the study and the practice of the Word of God, (Joshua 1:8; John 15:3; John 6:63) – that is our way to God (Psalm 119:104-106). As scripture says: “Listen to me, my people, listen to what I say: I give my teaching to the nations; my laws will bring them light.” (Isaiah 51:4).
The baptisms of water and of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5) cleanses the soul and kindles our hearts with the love of God and of neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This love of God prompts us to obey God, fellowship with him and do charity. Then God takes his throne in our hearts (John 14:23) to radiate the light of his presence in our words and works in the world (Isaiah 60:1).
We can attain all these by active faith (Romans 10:10) and constant prayer (Jeremiah 33:3; 29:12-13; Matthew 7:7). More so, we must seek God’s graces from the sacraments (John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Acts 1:8, Mark 10:27), which are magnified and sustained by the devout use of the church’s sacramental instruments – such as the Crucifix, Stations of the Cross, and the Holy Rosary. When we “switch on” (by our words, actions, inactions or works) or “are switched on” (by the words, actions, inactions or works of others) – our light must shine out, to the glory of God.
7. SWITCH ON YOUR LIGHT TO SHINE OUT
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It is written: “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the Word of Life.” (Philippians 2: 15). We switch on to shine in the light of God when we act and react in obedience to the Word of God (authority), with the help of the Holy Spirit (power), and in order to please God (obedience). On all occasions we are called to act or react in the way Christ has taught us to follow. (John 14:12). That is to say, we must have, live and excel in the nature of Christ (Philippians 2:6-11) – which shows that he lives in us and we live in him.
We are called to shine on the “lampstand” by excelling in the nature and character of Christ wherever and whenever we act or react. This is by always living and acting or reacting, in the Spirit of the Word of God which is the source of Life and Light to the world. (John 1:3-4; 6:63). When we are lit, we shine would out in acts of faith, obedience, truth, courage, integrity, patience, humility, submission, fortitude, excellence, perseverance, honesty, justice and charity. (Ephesians 5:8-11,14; Galatians 5:22-26).
If in everything we do, we seek direction in the Word of God and help from the Holy Spirit, then we would be able to serve, please and glorify God. In return God will give us peace, solutions to our problems and provisions of our needs – to lift us up higher. That is the reason why the angels sang, in Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).
8. WE PROFIT BY SHINNING OUT
The Word of God says, “You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:8-9)
Indeed, God’s blessings to those who shine out as light to the world are unimaginable. They come in the form of spectacular promotions, restoration, open-doors, enlightenment, favors, deliverance, success, victory and prosperity operated from the divine plane (Isaiah 60:1-3,11; John 1:5; Mathew 2: 1-2, 11; Revelation 21:23-25)
We remember that Jesus was born and laid in a manger – not in a five-star hotel. But the angels came down from heaven above and proclaimed his birth and his kingship to the shepherds in the fields. And they went out to see and worship the baby Jesus Christ lying in the manger (Luke 2:7-16). Moreover, his light shone beyond the land of Israel to draw the Wise Men from the East, who came and worshiped him. The power of humility and obedience is awesome! So our humility and obedience can both radiate our light and reward us beyond all expectations.
Therefore, when we are working to shine as the light of God in the world we shouldn’t bother so much whether our families, neighbors, employers or colleagues acknowledge us or not. When it is God’s time, his angels will come down from heaven to announce us to the right people and in the right places. They would reward us in ways and measures that we could never ever have imagined that it would happen.
9. OUR REWARD IS ETERNAL LIFE
The ultimate and eternal reward for being the light of the world is eternal life. For when we give God glory on earth then we can merit to share his eternal glory in heaven. That is the same glory in which the human being was originally created (Genesis 1:26). So Jesus said to the Father: “I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made.” (John 17:4-5).
His request was granted as scripture says, “After the Lord Jesus had talked with them, he was taken up to heaven and sat at the right side of God” (Mark 16:19). And as we shine out as the light of the world, we do hope to enter into his glorious presence, as he said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am” (John 14:2-3). In the name of JESUS, may we all come to receive this promise; Amen!
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Copyright (c) AYING GODMAN | Evangelist & Educator | Founder of Catholic Front Good News Ministry for JESUS CHRIST
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