Light’s Influence: “The World”
The whole world is in darkness and wickedness. “We know we’re God’s children and the whole world is in the power of the evil one” (1John5:19 Beck). It's a dark world in spite of the fact it claims to be “enlightened”. Intellectual darkness pervades our educational systems, the entertainment industry, the wealthy intellectual elite because God is not in their thinking. “Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God. Nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools” (Rom.1:21-22).
The “light” man thinks he has, is darkness. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, they whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, they whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt.6:22-23). Darkness and decay go together. Because there is political darkness -“we will not have this man rule over us”- the government is in decay. Because of spiritual darkness there are many cults and false religions, even churches are decaying. Because of moral darkness, the quality of human life has decayed.
The world is in darkness and no one but Christians can give any real knowledge or insight, the Apostle Paul said,"Do everything without grumbling and without arguing, and then no one will be able to question your morals or your sincerity, and you will be faultless children of God, although you live in an age in which life is twisted and perverted. Even in an age like that you must shine like stars in the world" Philippians 2:14-16 Barclay's. This bold statement upsets intellectuals and the religious. We cannot retreat from a dark world and go into spiritual isolation. Light’s influence is three fold:
1. It shines in the world and is seen by all.
2. It shines in the city on a hill and is seen by the surrounding area.
3. It shines like a lamp on a lampstand and is seen by the family. Your influence must start at home to be effective in the city and then the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment