“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Joh 9:5 AV)
Ironically,
Jesus says this just before he cures a man born blind. The truth is obvious. As long as Jesus Christ is a major part of
the human race, then there is always hope and life. To the degree the human race wishes to
extinguish the LORD is the degree of hopelessness and darkness it will
suffer. This truth is lost on the majority
of the world. They cannot conceive how
much God means as the source of life and happiness. They cannot understand the more they allow Christ
to influence the world, the better off the world is. Even if they do not personally accept Him as
their Savior, His influence from the people of God is still beneficial to
all. The light of the world is indeed, Jesus. There is coming a day when the world will
totally remove the influence of the LORD.
In those seven years, the human race will suffer as it never has before. Rather than see the error of their ways, they
will blame God for their circumstances.
Never will it cross their mind they removed the source of life and
contentment because they refused all of His ways. Only when Jesus is lifted up will the world
have light and life. This truth must
permeate the life of the saint. He or
she must resolve to share the love of Christ even if rejected. The more it is shared, the more influence
Jesus has. The more influence Jesus has,
the more light and life will come into this dark world.
Recently,
I bought a rechargeable lantern. I use
it when I walk the dog at night. Our street
lights are not all that bright and when the sky is overcast or there is rain on
the streets, it can get pretty dark. Most
would consider my lantern overkill. I
originally got the lantern for nighttime soul-winning. The intention was to carry it lit onto unlit
porches so those answering the door would not be alarmed. That never materialized, so I use it
primarily to walk the dog at night. Until
the snow comes and amplifies the ambient light, I will use my lantern. An amazing thing happens when I carry this
light. I am blessed with a Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel. A Cav, for short. My Cav, like all Cavs, is cutter than a
button. It never fails that someone
passing by in a car will smile at the sight of my dog. If they only knew! Anyway, that lantern does an amazing
thing. It adds to the charm of my
Cav. At night, a passing car may slow
down because the light illuminates the dog above me. How dare he!
He gets more attention than I do.
I am lost to the darkness. The sidewalk
and ground are dark. My little Toby is
mostly white. So, when that lantern
shines, he becomes the center of attention.
Just like he likes it. Those who
slow down to look at my dog may not be dog people. They may never have one of their own. But my contrasting white dog against a dark
night brings a bit of joy to those passing by.
This is
what we do not understand. I experience
this each and every time I go door-knocking.
Almost all those to whom we speak will reject Jesus. They want nothing to do with Him. Yet, speaking to them briefly and wishing
them well spreads a little bit of the love of Christ. They may be offended the LORD requires their
repentance and humility. They may be set
in their ways and attend a house of worship that leads them astray. But to say a kind word and love on them despite
their rejection and hatred is spreading the light of Christ. As long as we do this, He is the light of the
world. As long as believers continuously
and infectiously spread the spirit of Christ to a lost and dying world, there
will be hope and light. We are coming up
on Christmas time. We have lost the
meaning. It is about presents, Santa,
and other less spiritual traditions.
This year, perhaps the saints of the world will give the gift of love
and appreciation to our fellow human beings.
Maybe if we remind others that Christ and His love is the message of the
season our sorry planet will be a little lighter. It may become a little more hopeful.
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