Key verse: John 8:12: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life,” (NKJV).
Throughout the Bible “light” is used to symbolise God. The Psalmist said in Psalm 27:1, the Lord is my light and my salvation and said also in Psalm 36:9, in your light we see light. When Paul met Christ he encountered a Great Light (Acts 9:3). Walking with the Lord is walking in the light and anyone who lives his life without God is dwelling in darkness. There is no God and no light. The light, of course, is a magnificent metaphor. Light is the active power that dispels darkness. And Jesus Christ is the light of truth that dispels the darkness of falsehood. Jesus Christ is the light of wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance. Jesus Christ is the light of holiness that dispels the darkness of impurity. Jesus Christ is the light of joy that dispels the darkness of sorrow.
Believers in Christ are the light of the world. Without Christians, the world will be left in darkness. The Bible describes us as a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden and a light set on a lamp stand to shine before men (Matthew 5:14-16). Without light, people grope in darkness. Job 12:25 says: “They grope in the darkness without light and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.” Those who walk in darkness are those who are without the knowledge of the true God Who has revealed Himself in Christ Jesus.The Bible says men love darkness because their deeds are evil (John 3: 19). When believers walk in the light, they produce the fruit of righteousness and the fruit of the Spirit.
Walking in the light is to be trustworthy and a trustworthy person is dependable. Timothy was well spoken of by people. Apostle Paul said of him: “You know of his proven worth, that as a son with his father, he has served with me,” (Phil. 2:19-22).By conducting our lives like Timothy’s, and by being honest and trustworthy in what we do, we prove that we walk in the light.We walk in the light when we remain morally sound, despite the changing laws of nations and the moral degeneration of many in the contemporary society. Believers are the light of the world and this light is to reflect in all areas of our lives like leadership, interpersonal relationships and in the larger society. A leader should be a light, a beacon of hope, a pathfinder, a mentor, a developer and a people-builder. A leader is supposed to embody light and show the light. A leader is not supposed to be a shadow cast, a wet blanket or darkness in his or her leadership. Every leader is supposed to be a source of inspiration, illumination, motivation and encouragement to his followers. He is supposed to provide sufficient light and inspiration for his followers to bring out the best in them. The leader is light to the people he is leading.
Believers are the light of the world and they derive this light from Christ, Who is the higher light and shines by mirroring Christ Who is the biggest light. Moses’ face shone brightlyafter he had dwelt with God. Anyone who has had a genuine encounter with Christ must shine in the world. As light, believers are to improve the world they live in. As light, believers are to expose the works of darkness in the world they live in. As light, believers are to show good works for unbelievers to emulate.
• Today’s nugget: Believers are light in the world. Prayer: Lord help me to be a shining light. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: amadiabelukachi@gmail.com. Rev. (Dr.) Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria
