YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

02/12/2023

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5).

A correct knowledge of our identity in Christ is paramount to gaining the right understanding of our lives as Christians in relation to the world, and its systems. Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 says, "There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants." The writer here was careful to let us know who was in error. It says that the error proceeded from the ruler. In other words, the one who was in charge, either by sheer ignorance, or a lack of discernment, relegated his/her place of authority to elements that were under his/her control. 

Psalm 82:6-7 buttresses this point further; it says, "I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes."  Why do those who are gods die like men? Verse 5 tells us: "They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness." In other words, those that were called to be the light, now find themselves in darkness; talking like darkness, looking like darkness, and even behaving like darkness.

In John 9:5, Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Jesus introduced Himself as LIGHT and here's something you must know about light. Light is a regulator. Light not only regulates light; light, also, regulates darkness. Light can choose to allow darkness rule when light refuses to shine. Darkness does not have that power. Darkness can never introduce light. Light is the regulator. Genesis 1:4 tells us that when God created light, "...He separated the light from the darkness." In other words, He gave darkness its boundaries. He restricted it's operation and jurisdiction. How? By His Word.

Jesus was the light of the world as long as He was physically in the world. However, in Matthew 5:14, He introduced us as the light of the world. Matthew 5:14 says, "Ye are the light of the world..." So, like Jesus, as long as we are in this world, we are the light of the world.  And as such, we are regulators of darkness; we are determiners of its jurisdiction and operation. Therefore, we can no longer fold our arms and allow darkness to have a field day in our homes, schools, governments, and nations when it is within our reach to regulate its operation. We can no longer act unbothered. I have said, leave nothing unchecked! 

Isaiah 60:1 is very instructional. Knowing that you are light, it says, "Arise, shine..." In other words, GET UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER AND SHINE! Being light does not guarantee that you will shine. The way you shine is by doing and speaking forth God's Word. NEVER bow to darkness. Whatever the darkness may be, I repeat, DO NOT BOW! Speak! Speak! Speak! Shine light! Speak forth God's Word with boldness. Remember, you are the regulator! YOU ARE LIGHT! And till date, light shines into darkness and darkness has not been able to overcome, overpower, or extinguish it (John 1:5).

Faith-filled Confession:

As light, I limit the operation of darkness in my region. I refuse for darkness to have a field day in my home, community, and nation. I declare that every strategy of the evil one to destroy lives with fear, sickness, and sin in my community  is frustrated. I declare that lives in my region are preserved unto salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:55-75