That the World Will Know

John 1:7-10 "He (John the Baptist) came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him."

The questions, “Why am I here? What is my purpose? are basic inquiries asked by just about everyone on the planet and does not exclude Christians. We are not born with the answers and they are not all completely revealed at one time, but unfolded gradually over a lifetime of learning experiences and teachings in God’s perfect timing. Somehow, in the flesh, we lean toward the “big” & “easy” existence and, granted, that is a lot more pleasant than trials and tragedies of a life in a world fallen in sin that we do not totally understand now, but grows and matures us along our time on Earth, while driving us to lean on our Maker and His provision. Darkness and blindness go together naturally, and the same is true for the Soul (our mind, will & emotion) and spiritually when we take our eye off the light of Jesus. Isaiah 59:9 says that because of the darkness of sin “So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. Even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though it were dark” (Read Isaiah 59:1-8 also).

But this is not God’s design. In John 8:12 “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.” Jesus (The true light, which enlightens everyone) came both to give us “light” to walk and live in this world mentally, physically and spiritually, come what may, but also to reflect the light of God in this dark and sinful world that others may see the truth and that the world may know the way to true and pure life here, as the Lord intended it for each of us. In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus tells us “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” I wonder sometimes if we fear and worry so much about not offended someone, that we do not share our faith, the truth of the gospel, to a lost and dying world, that we limit our witness or keep our hands closed and our mouth shut light, when the Lord says in Matthew 28 “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey all the commands I have given you.”

Not only must we trust in God, but we need to also “trust God”. Not only must we believe in Jesus, but we must “believe Jesus”. Which person willfully walking in the darkness of sin and rebellion against God is not going to be offended about going to Hell in eternal separation and torment of that "lake of fire” meant for Satan and his demons?). Those who choose to walk in darkness of sin and death of unbelief will come out “tooth and nail” against the gospel message of forgiveness and salvation because they do not want to be subject to a God and answer to their thoughts, words and deeds, let alone pay the consequences for such a life - (John 3:19). We need to expect them to be offended and keep doing what the Lord put us here to do ... to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Knowing God and making Him known ... speaking the truth in love, that the world will know the way, the truth and the life through the only Savior of the world.

John 17:22-24 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!”

In Christ, Brian