It Is Time for the Church to Start Shining Brightly
Isaiah, the most quoted prophet in the New Testament, wrote about the coming of the Messiah.
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. Isaiah 9:1-2 (NLT)
Jesus, the promised one, came into the world as a fulfillment to this prophecy. He came to break the bondage that came upon the world through sin and the agency of Satan, who maintained oppressive authority over humanity that kept us in darkness. The One who at creation said, “Let there be light,” came as the Light in human form.
He spoke words that shed light upon God’s character, love, mercy, and justice.He told his disciples to walk in the light of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, which translates into living in harmony with, dependency on, and obedience to God.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5 (NLT)
He even was willing for his light to be temporarily hidden in death so that his light might be lit in all who receive him as Lord and Savior. Those who receive the light of life become lights in the world, reflecting his light to all who still live in darkness.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)
As his followers, our light shines through the words we speak and our works of faith and love that confirm our words. (Matthew 5:14-16) The gospel we preach shines God’s light into dark places, including the dark recesses of the human heart. Those who receive the good news will also receive God’s light inside them.
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB)
Even though we are merely human beings, who have faults just like everyone else, we are privileged to carry God’s light inside us.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Jesus did not die and rise again merely to reconcile us to the Father, as wonderful as that is. He came to raise up people who will shine brightly as lights in the world. We are responsible to share his light with others through the gospel. We are lights set on a lamp stand to light all around us through our words and deeds. May our Lord give us a fresh revelation of who he is and who we are. May we start shining brightly for God’s glory.
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