Jesus Christ fulfilled many prophecies of the Old Testament, one of which was that people who sat in darkness saw a great light (Matt. 4:15-16). It is because of His light that Jesus can say that we are the light of the world.
If there is any doubt about Jesus being the source of light, the apostle John tells us in his gospel account, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it” (John 1:4-5). A few verses later, we’re also told,
The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
John 1:9
The fact that Jesus was, and is, this true light is the reason we can shine any light at all. In one of his letters, the apostle Paul says pretty much the same thing. After contrasting followers of Christ with the world, he mentions that we are seen as lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). Again, this isn’t based on our own merit or ability. It’s because we are holding up the word of life (vs. 16).
Elsewhere in Ephesians, we are reminded of our prior condition in darkness, and then encouraged to walk as the children of light, “For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, [9] for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, [10] proving what is well pleasing to the Lord” (Eph. 5:8-10).
Notice from the text the manner in which we are to walk. We are to bear fruit of the spirit, which includes goodness, righteousness, and truth. Now, it is true that the world has its own opinion of what these things are. However, if we know the Word then we can follow these concepts in the way that He desires. When we do, we shining a light to a world that is in darkness. Similar concepts can be found in other places as well. For instance, the beginning of the chapter reads,
Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Ephesians 5:1-2
And then in Galatians, Paul shares a longer list of the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).
As we can see, the fruit of the Spirit is quite diverse. It involves a variety of good deeds and behaviors that set us apart from the world. When we exhibit such qualities, we show our love of God to the world. May we all seek to bear fruit as we walk as lights of Christ in this world!
Image Used
A Light Shining on the Earth by ColiN00B from Pixabay.
James L. Hutton 