What did Jesus mean when He said that you are the light of the world? Was He just talking to His disciples at that time or was He speaking to whoever would hear? Do you think the claims made by some could be true that when Jesus spoke to His disciples He didn't mean the generations to follow were included in His promises? How do we decide if the words of Christ are meant for us today or not? Well, for that matter what about the rest of the Bible? Is the Bible God's word for us to learn His ways or not?

          I say yes! Each individual gets to decide what they believe about God and then we can think about how and why God would communicate with us. Would He be clear or confusing? Would He send us a manual and then tell us do decide for ourselves what we want and don't want from it? Would God send us several books and teachers with conflicting beliefs and then tell us to pick & choose what we like best from each one? Let's be real. By the way, if all paths really lead to God, then why is there so much darkness in the world today?

          Some may say; "There is only so much darkness in the world because that is what you choose to see." So does that mean if I choose not to see that there are over twenty convicted sex offenders (most of which are repeat offenders) living within a few mile radius of me that they will no longer be there? If I choose not to see that our prisons are over filled with so many criminals that our government can't afford to keep them off the streets then that fact won't be true anymore?  Does it mean that if we decide not to see corruption in the hierarchy of the church that those individuals won't be abusive or greedy for power or money anymore? How about Covid? If we just choose not to see it will it finally go away?

          I'm sure we can all see that by ignoring reality we won't make it go away. But can we see that God has always had a better plan if we can just accept it and actually live it? Look at this prophesy from the Bible written about 680 years before Christ came:

  Isaiah 60:1-5 "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.  "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

The prophet Isaiah is referring to the coming of Christ and that He will draw all men to Himself. All may not come but Christ is drawing today!

          Now let's look at how John described the coming of Jesus into this world:       

John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:9-14   That was the true Light, which gives light to every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world did not know Him. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name::  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Can we pray that God remove from all our hearts any darkness that prevents us from comprehending HIM? (Ask God in your own words to remove all hidden darkness from your heart and to fill you with His light).

John 8:12 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."

Matthew 5:13-15 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

          Mark 16:14-18 "Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

          We cannot depend on any government, law enforcement or anything else to bring the light of God into this world. He has called and chosen His followers to do the job. It does not matter what kind of darkness lives or once lived in you. The blood of Jesus was shed to cleanse and forgive us all of anything that separates us from the light and love of God. We only have to ask Him and mean it and then find a church home that preaches and teaches the whole word of God (We can help you find one if you contact us), then share the good things that God has done with you always.