548 - Keeping First Things First... Always

Leaving Laodicea

We are the Light of the World… Maybe

The problem today in our culture is not the increasing darkness, but the ever-diminishing light in believers. For darkness is defined as the absence of light. And when light appears, it immediately vanquishes darkness without a struggle. But there is more. Scripture tells us that Christ is light, and therefore, so are we. We are children of light and are commanded to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). And Scripture describes the enemy as darkness.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (the Baptist). This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light (Christ), that all through him might believe. He was not that Light (Christ), but was sent to bear witness of that Light (Christ).

Summary: That was the true Light (Christ) which gives light to every man (was) coming into the world – John 1:6-9.

But it gets even better. Consider what John later says about light.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light (to what degree) and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him (light), and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if (condition) we walk in the light (to what degree) as He is in the light, (result) we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin – 1 John 1:6-7.

So it appears the problem today with encroaching darkness is us, those who are light, yet hide our light from the world (Matt. 5:14-16). Why do we do that? Maybe it’s because we fear the darkness. Or maybe we fear the persecution of the world, of being canceled, mocked, de-platformed, or whatever the darkness tries to do to conceal our light. But no matter. We have the mandate from our Lord to “let our light shine before men” (Matt. 5:16).

So maybe we should be about just that. Remember:

Fact: For you were once darkness, but now you are light (where) in the Lord.

Command: Walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8.

Note: We are now (present tense) light in the Lord. We possess the Holy Spirit and take on the nature of Christ (Rom. 8:29), who is Light (1 John 1:5). And that makes us divinely powerful in Him.

So let’s get to it, shall we?

How Do We Live as Light in the World?

So how are we to be light in this dark world? And how do we fight against the darkness? Let me tell you how not to fight against the darkness. Not with anger, revenge, politics, or personal strength. None of the Rambo stuff. Nor by plotting, or scheming, or manipulating circumstances to meet our end. No, that’s what the darkness does. We let Him do the fighting for us and rest in His promises and commands.

In Him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (katalambánō – to take, apprehend, overcome, to seize the position of and defeat, to gain control) it – John 1:4-5.

Did you get that?

When we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we allow Him to fight our battles for us (which was His whole plan in the first place). We find this command to surrender ourselves all throughout Scripture. Remember, He gets the glory when we allow Him to fight our battles for us, just like a loving Father. And He has promises for those who choose to trust Him, even in the thick of battle.

Remember the questions in Romans 8?

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” – Romans 8:33.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” – Romans 8:35.

And the one where our faith either grows or fails… “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors (how) through Him who loved us” – Romans 8:37.

And we pray and put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). Not sure what that means or why we should do it? Then keep listening.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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