Aug. 3, 2016

The Light Of Truth Matthew 5:14-16

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid. (15)...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. (16)...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

 If you spent any time in Church as a child (or even if you didn't) you will undoubtedly remember the song, "This Little Light Of Mine". It is one of those songs we learned as babies and sang it generally at Easter or when the children's choir sang during 11am service. 

Most parents took their children to church (even if they didn't stay for service) so that child could learn a basic foundational truth about The Bible, God, His Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit. 

This is a foundational truth. The Bible, God's Word states in Genesis 1:1...In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2)...And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (3)...And God said "Let there be light; and there was light" KJV.

This is a foundational truth. 27 times in Genesis 1-2, God spoke "Let There Be". 27 times in Genesis 1-2 what God spoke became what He said. Nothing argued with Him, stated an opposing view or asked for equal time. To prove my statement, verse 4 says... And God saw the light, that it was "good". Then he did something with this "good light"...God divided the light from the darkness. In verse 5...God called the light Day and darkness Night. 

Here is another foundational truth. By dividing light from darkness, the two cannot exist at the same time. By that I mean, turn off the lights in the room you are now in. Unless it is night and no light is present, you will be in complete darkness. That is what the earth was before Genesis 1. When light shined, darkness disappeared. 

God also created the Sun, Moon and Stars so in reality, complete and total darkness does not exist unless you are in a cave or building in which light does not penetrate because once one sliver of light is seen, darkness left. Hallelujah...

In our world today, a person has to intentionally find places that will deny any light from shinning. You have to want to be in darkness. Jesus said in the Gospel of John 8:12...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life...John 9:5...Jesus said...as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world...John 12:35-36...Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. (36)...While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light... 12:46...Jesus said...I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 

Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, that same light He had, we now have. We have the light of Love, the light of compassion, the light of mercy. That is what Jesus had while He was with us. Because we are Blood Bought, it is also what we must have.

This light is sooo powerful because when we walk into a dark place whether it is our job, store, gym, school, or just walking through a neighborhood, this light is shining and darkness disappears. How do I know that? because of the change that has taken place within you. 

That is why that child's song is so powerful. Remember... This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine...Why?...Jesus gave it to me, and I'm going to let it shine. And...Everywhere I go, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine let it shine.

We are currently in a toxic environment and time because of this pending election but if you are called a Christian...our light needs to shine brighter now than ever before. Not the light of political or party affiliation...but the light of truth. Not a form of truth that people want to hear...God's Truth from His Holy Spirit that is more powerful than the double edged sword.  The truth that cuts us to our core and convicts us. 

We were saved from the hell we deserve because God knew He could trust us to complete the work He has assigned our hands (Christians) to do. Carry the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to your neighborhood (Jerusalem), city (Judaea), the places you don't want to go because the folks are different from us (Samaria) and the utter most part of the earth (the world). Acts 8 KJV.

Thank You Lord For Your Word

Elder Thomas W. Burgess