Word In Life Study Bible
ARE WE STILL A LIGHT TO THE WORLD?
Is.49:6-7
Later history would show that Jesus Christ is this Servant, this light of the world (Matt. 12:17–21; John 1:4–13; 8:12). However, Jesus has also commissioned His followers to be lights as well, spreading His light to every corner of the earth.
This is clear from Paul’s statement to the people of Antioch in Pisidia, citing the Isaiah passage: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth’ ” (Acts 13:47, emphasis added). Paul was applying Isaiah’s prophecy to himself and the rest of Christ’s church—including the church today. Paul was saying that he and we are, in effect, servants of the Servant, bearing His light.
Given this mission, it’s worth asking whether we as believers today are still carrying it out. Are we still a light to the world? If not, there could be at least five reasons for a breakdown:
• Lack of doctrinal clarity or authority. The light of Christ was intended to illumine the truth about God (John 7:16–18; 8:31–32). But if we ourselves are still in the dark about what we believe, then we have nothing to persuade others to believe.
• Moral or ethical compromise. It is impossible to sustain a credible message about a pure and holy light if we ourselves are living in moral darkness (1 John 1:5–6). God wants us to live a lifestyle that is morally attractive to unbelievers (Matt. 5:14–16; Titus 2:9–10).
• Disunity or a lack of love for other believers. Perhaps nothing undercuts the mission of the church more than internal conflict. Why should the world believe in Christ’s message of love if His followers are at war with each other? Jesus was fully aware of this when He prayed for the unity of His people (John 17:22–23).
• Ethnic and racial prejudice. The gospel penetrated beyond the borders of ancient Judea because Jesus broke down traditional walls of separation between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14–22), and because a few brave believers acted on that truth (see “Sure You’re Saved … Sort Of” at Acts 13:1–3, and “Sure You’re Saved … Sort Of” at Acts 15:1–21). Are believers still willing to break through cultural barriers today?
• A lost passion for evangelism and mission. No one will spread the light of Christ if no one believes that His light still needs to be spread. If one is satisfied that the mission has basically been completed, or that someone else will do it, or that the message has become irrelevant—then the light will go no further. But consider: Someone brought Christ into the midst of your own spiritual darkness. Is there any credible reason why you should not introduce someone else to His grace? Or were you the last unsaved person on earth?
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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