“Ye are the light of the world”
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”Matthew.5:14-16
Jesus is the light of the world; the Bible says in John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,’I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” Jesus declared that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). This means that as Christians we then belong to the Kingdom of God and are an extension of the same light as Jesus! The Lord established the Family to consist of a father and a mother who are joined in marriage, raise children and to be distinguished as a light unto the world!
Brethren, light is superior to darkness; in order to become light in the darkness we must go to the one who is the “light of the world”; John 1:4 says, “in him was life, and the life was the light of men.” As beneficiaries of the “light of the world”, our life is not meant to be an ordinary one; our lives are meant to be radiantly superior in all that we do because our faith is rooted in a living and powerful God! Let us not be misguided in neglecting the contribution or spiritual walk of any member of our household, including our youth;
1 Timothy 4:12 says “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Moses also emphasized this same point when he said to Pharaoh in Exodus 10:9, ” . . .we will go with our young and with our old, with our daughters, with our flocks and daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord‘. Also, take into account the story of the family of Cornelius in Acts.10: 1-2, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a, centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house…!”
Additionally, it is well-known that light and darkness cannot relate; light doesn’t conform to darkness, but truth be told, light will always take over the darkness! Therefore as Christian families (lights in the world), our lifestyles should influence the world to seek the light of the world (Jesus), not the other way around! As lights, we should not be overcome by the darkness (the world)! 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.“ Brethren, just as light and darkness cannot relate, we as lights of the world, should not make confidants of the darkness (the people and things of this world)! 2 Corinthians 6:14 clearly states, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” Beloved, we must shine! When we shine, we make an impact! We are not here to join the world; we are here to change it! Remember “we are the light of the world”! Every member of our family is ordained to be the best and to excel in whatever they do, whether academics, career, life’s calling, etc. Our lifestyles and conduct should reflect an exemplary way of life for others to see and be influenced by so that they too will seek the source of light, Jesus!
Consider this; does the way you raise your children, the way you relate to your family, how you treat and talk to people outside your family, attract them to God?? Light shining attracts unity; when sources of light band together, the light gets brighter! As believers, let us draw our light together in unity just like the Trinity as according to Genesis 11:6. and speak the same language, set the same goals, and head in the same direction. When there is unity, there is then love, fellowship, forgiveness, mutual respect, transparency, and trust; essential ingredients for a successful relationship. It is essential that we make our homes resistant to disunity for where there is disunity there will sooner or later be division . . . Mark 3:25 states, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Dearly Beloved, our families are called to be “ lights to the world”; let us joyfully celebrate the establishment of the Family and be committed to shine brighter and greater for the world to see so we can draw “all men unto God” in the radiant name of Jesus.
Pastor Tope Dosumu