You Are The Light Of The World

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

The world in which we live is in the darkness of ignorance and sin (John 3:19). Our neighbors are among those benighted souls. Our obligation, both individually and congregationally, is to lead them to salvation in Christ (Matthew 28:19). A primary way we do so is by being lights in the world to show them by example the way to heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

Christ the Son is the Sun which brings the light of life to the world (John 1:9; 8:12). We are the moon reflecting the light of the Son to a darkened world. They must see Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20). Christ is our perfect example and we must pattern our lives after His (Matthew 10:24-25; 1 Peter 2:21-22).

How shall we live in this benighted world so that we may lead some to the light? The apostle Peter provides the blueprint in his first letter. Above all else, we must look to Jesus, our perfect example, as the pattern to follow.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:21-24).

Following His example, we will do right in the various relationships of life.

We will obey the laws of the government under which we live, honor our rulers, pay our taxes, and pray for those who rule us (1 Peter 2:13-17; cf. Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2). We will only refuse to obey civil law if it contradicts divine law (Acts 5:27-29).

We will treat all people with respect, fear God, and love our brethren (1 Peter 2:17).

Employees will obey their employers, even if the boss is rotten (1 Peter 2:19-20), give sincere, diligent service, as to the Lord (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25), show them respect (1 Timothy 6:1-2), and be honest (Titus 2:9-10). Workers will thus “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). Likewise, believing employers will treat their employees fairly, justly, and mildly (Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1).

Wives will submit to their husbands, live pure lives before them, place their emphasis on the inward, unfading beauty of a “gentle and quiet spirit” rather than on the outward, temporary beauty of elaborate hairdos, fancy clothing, and jewelry, speak to and of their husbands respectfully, love their husbands and children, and be homemakers (1 Peter 3:1-6; cf. Ephesians 5:22-24, 33; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:3-5). In this way, believing wives may lead their unbelieving husbands to Christ without nagging them (1 Peter 3:1-2).

Husbands will treat their wives with respect and understanding of feminine weakness, recognizing the wives are their spiritual equals (1 Peter 3:7). They will love their wives (Ephesians 5:25-33) and not hold a grudge against them (Colossians 3:19).

Young people will be subject to their elders (1 Peter 5:5) and all people will show a submissive attitude toward others (Ibid).

In February 1992, while I was in Nigeria, the late Brother Joseph Onyemaechi took me far out into the bush near Aba to preach on Sunday evening to a new congregation he had started. We were honored with the presence of several village dignitaries. When I was through preaching, the chief spoke for the villagers. He welcomed me and the new, little church. He acknowledged I had spoken the truth. Then he observed, “We will watch the people you convert. If they live good lives, you will convert many from our village. If not, you will not.” The chief was both wise and a fine judge of human nature.

Wouldn’t this be a wonderful world, “a foretaste of glory divine,” if all lived the way the apostle Peter exhorted us to live? Won’t we be lights in the world to guide the lost to Christ if we as Christians live this way? “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

19.04.02 | GROW magazine