Jesus – The Light Of The World!

By Lois J. Stucky

    Jesus said to His followers, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). Again He said, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46). How unspeakably blessed are we who follow Jesus and walk in His light! He is the way, the truth and the life. Following Him we will not blindly grope nor fearfully shudder in the dark. We will not take a wrong turn and end up in a deadly abyss.

    Humble fisherman Peter, writing eloquently under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reminds us: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Pet. 2:9-10). How can we ever sufficiently praise Him for calling us by His great grace, out of darkness into His marvelous light, for miraculously delivering us from the kingdom of darkness and translating us into the Kingdom of His dear Son? (Col. 1:12-13). How exceedingly favored we are that the God "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!" (2 Cor. 4:6).

    We can show forth His praises by walking as children of light (Eph. 5:8) and by letting our light shine through good deeds which cause others, too, to praise Him (Matt. 5:16). Walking in love toward our fellow Christians also shows forth our gratitude and praise to Him (1 John 2:10).

    Very important for us who are living on the brink of Christ’s coming again, is the reminder the Apostle Paul gives in his instructive letter to the Thessalonians who had concerns about His coming: "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:4-8). Our watching and our glad anticipation of Christ’s coming again shows forth our praises unto Him as well.