What You Are – Part 2 – LIGHT By: Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1526

What You Are – Part 2 – LIGHT

By: Ben Fronczek

Last week I began a new series of lessons called, WHAT YOU ARE. I want to talk about what we are called or referred to as Christians in the Bible. In doing so I hope it will open your eyes as to how important you are and maybe I can help you become more aware of the role and responsibilities that may be laid out for you and me as we live out our life as a Christian.

In the first lesson I talked about what Jesus calls us in Matthew 5, when He referred to us as Salt. In that same context He also refers to us as Light. Let me read that portion of scripture again.   Matt. 5:13-16“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”     

So we are not only the SALT of the earth, we are the LIGHT of the world.

Technically speaking light is a form of electromagnetic radiation which can be detected or seen ny our eyes. Light or this electromagnetic radiation exists in tiny pockets called photons and it shows properties as both waves and particles.

Each wave has a wave length or frequency. The human eye is capable of detecting or seeing only a certain number of these wave lengths or frequencies. Each frequency appears as a different color to us. Rainbows show the entire spectrum or range of visible light or frequencies that we can see; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Other frequencies or colors beyond our ability to see can only be observed by special cameras or other instruments.

The colors or frequencies beyond the red which we cannot see are called infrared. And the those to the other extreme beyond violet which we can see are called ultraviolet. Even though we cannot see light in these wave lengths does not mean that they are not there. Some animals and insects can see more than we can see because their eyes and brains are equipped to detect light with a higher or lower frequency.

– These light and particle waves travel very fast (186,000 mi/sec. in a vacuum)

– They always move in a straight line and create a shadow when their path is blocked.

– White light is actually made up of the many different color combined. And if white light strikes a prism just right, these different colors can be divided and we see them as a rainbow.

– When we see an object we actually see the light it reflects or emits. People think that certain objects have different colors where in reality, when light strikes an object, depending on what that object is and what it is made of, the object will absorb certain light waves and others will bounce off. The human eye will see these reflected wave lengths that are not absorbed and our brain will combine what we see and leave us with the impression of a color.

Interesting that Jesus would call us the light of the world.

In Bible times there were only a few sources of light; the sun, the moon and stars by night, lightning, and light from fire. There were no electric light bulbs, or street lamps, no head lights or flashlights. But even so, Jesus said that even by the soft glow of oil lamps, torches a city on a hill could not be hid.

So what did Jesus mean when He called us light? As described, there is that electromagnetic radiation which we can detect with our eyes, but the light here is a metaphor for something divine. In the Bible light quite often was a symbol of divine presence. Jesus said that He was the light of the world.

In John 1:1-9 referring to Jesus, John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  (Life or the Greek word ZOE here refers to a quality of life, life in the fullness, highest sense: the eternal blessed life of God. Light here refers to the divine truth which shine out of Him) He goes on to write:   5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

Jesus and what He came to reveal is the light which John the Baptist prepared the way for in his preaching. The light in us is what Jesus revealed.

Jesus is the true source of light, which is a metaphor for a Christ-like divine life which leads men to God. In (John 8:12) we read, “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.”  

The Apostle John wrote, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

What it comes down to is the fact that Jesus is the true light. We take in or absorb some of His divine light, just like we absorb some of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun which changes us by giving us some color to our skin as well as giving us a healthy dose of Vitamin D. It also strengthens our immune system, increases oxygen content in the blood. Sunlight can penetrates deep into the skin and cleanse the blood and blood vessels. It can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and it also can help with skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and fungal infections.   And just like we also reflect some of the suns light which others can see, as Christians and also reflect the divine light of Jesus to give them a better spiritual life

So what are some characteristics of light?

#1. It Exposes what’s in the dark: Darkness is expelled as soon as you turn on a light. People are not aware of what’s in the dark until they turn on lights. Light shines not so much that people may see the light itself, but so that they may see other things because of the light that were unseen in the dark.         A question for us is, does my life and presence help others see what’s going on around them or even within them more clearly?

#2. Light can also serve as a guide: Did you ever drive down a country road on a dark night and turn your lights off. Doing so can lead to a disaster. Turn the lights on and it gives us comfort because we can see where we are going and it help others to see the way as well. On a foggy or snowy night I like to follow another car because it helps me see the road better. The question is, as a Christian, am I being a helpful guide to people who are in the darkness of this world, especially helping guide them to Jesus by our good works?.

#3. Light is always light, it never becomes something else. As long as the source is a constant, light travels at a constant speed and seemingly goes on forever. We can see stars that are millions of light years away. It’s not that the light from others stars isn’t there, we just have limited vision as humans. That’s why we can see so much more with a telescope. Light travels on and on and on. We likewise need to do our best to be a light at all times, not just now and then if we expect having a far reaching effect on others for Jesus. Light may appear as different colors but it is still light. Likewise we are all different with different abilities which can shine forth for Jesus in different ways. Our light shines not so people will be attracted to us but to Jesus.

#4. Most people are attracted to the light. Very few choose to live in total darkness. Some may choose to hide or do things in the dark, but like bugs most of us are drawn to the light. I believe that when we are living as a genuine disciple many are attracted to what we do as we live the life; a life that is meant to glorify our Lord. That’s why so many jump on the band wagon and support good works

John MacArthur writes, “We have that light shining through our lives if our actions reflect the nature of Christ—His love, compassion, and forgiveness.  His light shines through our attitudes, words, and deeds. The Christ-like life is the platform on which individual testimony becomes convincing.

The alternative is for the Christian to live in the dark. Scripture teaches that, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth”(1 John 1:5-6). If no light shines from your life, either you have no relationship with Christ or you are bringing dishonor to Him. It is a sad thing for someone to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and continue to live an openly sinful life. It brings disrepute to Christ and the gospel. It is a stumbling block for unbelievers. It is certainly not effective in convincing anyone that Christ has the power to transform lives. Our responsibility as disciples and evangelists is to have lives so transformed by the Word and the inward presence of Christ that everyone can see His light reflected in our acts of kindness.” (John MacArthur)

Without light, life on earth would cease. Without this divine light, (Jesus) hope for spirit life would also cease. Every Christian is meant to be a light to help others find the right way, the way to Jesus, the way to salvation. But you don’t have light of your own anymore than the moon has light without the sun. Those talents, gifts, material possessions, wisdom and abilities are all from God and are meant to serve him and bring glory to Him, not you.

In closing I’d like talk about the differences between salt and light 1. Both have their attractive features. We are drawn to light and a proper amount of salt makes things taste better. Salt goes to works silently changing things, seasoning, preserving and healing. You don’t have to give a Bible study to be salt. Your influence, your peace, your meekness, your forgiveness and mercy, and kindness acts like salt in the lives of others.

On the other hand light works differently. Light is visible, it is seen, it works openly. It’s seen when you openly do things, and when openly give glory to God, or share your faith with others about God and Jesus.

People need to experience the effect both; salt and light. They need to be salted with the love of God to season and preserve them and they need to see His light working through you.

But in order for us to be that light, we first have to be plugged into the power source, into Jesus. And we can do this by nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus, by studying God’s word, by praying and by meditating on His word. And by asking him to be with us and work thru us each day.

CONCLUSION:

Where the be-attitudes show us the way to a blessed, happy and have full life, being salt and light is an expression of that life in action. It is a life focused on God’s purpose, not on our own. It touches the lives of those we come in contact with for His Glory.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

All comments can be emailed to: bfronzek@gmail.com