We have all heard this term. What is the light of the world?
Lets find out by seeing what the Bible has to say:
JN 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
So Jesus is the actual light of the world. The Bible talks about people that don't believe in Jesus as people who are walking in darkness. When you follow Jesus you have the light of life thru him - salvation. What do you do with this light?
Here is what Jesus says about his followers (people that have the light):
JN 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." So what does this mean?
It means that a follower of Jesus you should hold to what he teaches. The more you do this the stronger your light will become.
MT 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
This tells us that by following Jesus thru him we become the light of the world. This light we should let shine before people to show them the way. If we truly let our light shine it will attract people. Does this mean we should judge the world? Lets see what Jesus said:
This is Jesus speaking:
JN 12:47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Another scripture:
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
If we read this, I believe it tells us that Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save it. I think we can conclude from this that if Jesus didn't come to judge the world it is not our job either. There will be a judgment some day, but it is not our place to do that here on earth.
We are here to be a light and draw people to Jesus by the way we live. How? We should all be preachers? No, I don't think so. We are all suppose to share the message of Jesus with other people, but it doesn't always have to be preached.
We can draw people by the way we live our lives. How do we live our lives?
Well, here is what Jesus said:
He was asked:
MT 22:36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
MT 22:37 Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
This sounds pretty simple, doesn't it. Two commandments, that's it. What will this do for people that don't know Jesus?
It will draw them.
Here is the conclusion:
We are to be a light by the way we live. This will draw people to Jesus. There will be a judgment some day and we should influence as many people as possible. The alternative to heaven is definitely not the place we want them to go
Don't worry about the ones that don't like you because of what you stand for, because what they are really rejecting is Jesus. Love them where they are and do what we are called to do.
HOME
