God Every Morning Issue #200 - You are the Light of the World
Passage of the Day:
“I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”” (John 9:4-5 WEB)
Hi dear patron,
While Jesus was on earth, He never seemed hurried, yet He always had a sense of urgency in doing His work, always moving forward without wasting any time. He was purposeful and kept seeking to do His Father’s will.
In the passage above, He gave the example of working while it’s still day because no one can work at night.
He’s not talking about about the literal day and night - today there are still many jobs where people work at night.
Jesus is referring to day as the lifetime of a person, and night being the person’s death.
Jesus’ “night” of death began when Judas left the upper room to betray Jesus into the hands of the chief priests.
“Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.” (John 13:30 WEB)
While we are still alive on earth, that is our day to do the work of God. We only have a day, signifying that life is very short as compared to eternity - it is but a breath and is quickly over before we know it.
Jesus said that while He was in the world, He was the light of the world.
That is certainly true because wherever He went, He brought the radiance of the kingdom of God to the darkness of the world around: healing, casting our demons, teaching the truth, and even raising the dead.
Knowing that the time we have to do the works of God is short, we should change our minds about how we are going to live our lives.
After our lives are over, there will be a day whereby there will be an accounting and God will reward us according to the good works we have done for Him.
“Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14-16 WEB)
Age can be a huge stumbling block. Youngsters may think that they still have a long way to go so they have lots of time to waste and fool around.
Working adults may think that this is their time to work hard and leave the things of God for their retirement or after they’ve achieved their career/family goals.
The elderly may think that they are far too old to be of any use to God and that their season to do God’s work is over and that it’s up to the next generation to do it.
There’s always an excuse if a person wants to find one, and age is a common excuse. The time to do God’s work is now, while it is still day.
Jesus passed the baton to us. He entrusted us with the honor of being the light of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 WEB)
We are to do good so that others can see the goodness and love of God and be drawn to Jesus our Lord. Jesus wants us to imitate Him, to bring light to wherever we go - to shine brightly for Him.
A bright lamp in a dark room will definitely stand out. Don’t be afraid to stand out for Jesus. You’re supposed to be holy: set apart for God’s purposes.
There should definitely be stark differences between you and the people of the world.
You are a child of light and not a child of darkness - never let the lines be blurred.
This doesn’t mean that we belittle or act proudly as if we’re better than others. No, we are to do as Jesus said: to love one another as He has loved us. By doing everything in love, we will shine brightly as the light of the world.
“Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12 WEB)
Who empowered Jesus to be the light of the world while He was on earth? It was the Holy Spirit inside Him.
The Holy Spirit is the “light of life” that Jesus said we will have.
The Holy Spirit lives inside you if you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
I’m not saying that just because your life is just a day that you should rush out of the house now and help every single person on the street until you’re all burnt out.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” (Romans 8:14 WEB)
No, Jesus doesn’t want you to be an extinguished candle. Dear child of God, be led by the Holy Spirit.
I’m saying prioritize listening to God and doing His will rather than your own.
Like Jesus, you can say “not my will, but yours be done”.
As you follow the leadership of the “Light of Life” inside you, He will help you illuminate your sphere of influence as an effective light of the world.
A candle can’t give out heat that it doesn’t have. When you function as the light of the world, you won’t lose out.
God will fill you with His love, Grace, and bless you abundantly to be a blessing to others.
Out of your fullness, you will be enabled to produce good works as a fruit of the goodness you have received!
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