The Light of Jesus in a Dark World

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 5:8-10

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[c] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord.

(CSB)

The first election in which I could vote was the election of 1976.  Since then I have voted in many elections.  All elections are by nature contentious as each candidate bombards media and the public with ads on how they represent the best choice for the office they are seeking.  This part of the electoral process is actually beneficial for it opens the door every two years to public discourse on the issues facing the nation.  However, when the rhetoric of the campaign becomes vial and violent in nature, the peaceful discussion of issues arriving at solutions ends.  Such is the darkness of the current electoral process in the United States. 

As believers in Christ, we can all relate to being in darkness for it is where we all came from (Romans 3:23).  However, when we invited Jesus into our lives, we invited the one who said He was the light of the world (John 14:6).  Whether we live as children of light by allowing the light of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to shine from our hearts, is dependent upon how well we live lives of obedience to the Word of God. 

Ending the vial and violent parts of the electoral process as well as the darkness in other parts of the culture requires letting our light shine with the fruit of the light living within each believer.  This requires believers living in obedience to the Word of God for it is then that our lives shine with the fruits of the light, effecting transformation in the world around us.  Obedient believers in Christ shine with the fruits of,

1)      Goodness – Obedient believers in Christ do not wish violence on those disagreeing with their Christian faith for they understand the darkness they lived in apart from Christ.  Therefore, even though the lives of those living in darkness places them in disagreement with many Godly principles, instead of wishing them harm, they will pray for them.  This does not mean they necessarily pray for them to come to agreement with them politically but that they would come to know Jesus as their savior, transforming their lives and minds (Romans 12:2).  Such is the fruit of goodness in the heart of a believer in Christ. 

2)      Righteousness – Not a righteous based upon what we have done for that is a righteousness of filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  The fruit of righteousness bringing transformation to a lost world is righteousness based upon what Jesus did on the cross.  Jesus death on the cross fulfills the legal requirement of death for sin.  His burial took those sins away and with His resurrection brought justification or a right standing with God the Father (Ephesians 2:11-22). 

3)      Truth – Perhaps the greatest contribution believers in Christ can make to a dark culture is the contribution of truth.  The world has the greatest truth available to it in the Bible.  Believers in Christ have the advantage of having a personal relationship with the author and inspiration of scripture in the person of the Holy Spirit.  This presence in the heart of a believer provides understanding of scripture and empowerment to apply its truth to their lives.  However, a believer can only realize this benefit by deciding to live in obedience to these truths. 

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to pray with me now and open the door of your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ so the fruits of light bringing transformation to a dark world can shine from your life. 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Congratulations, you have now escaped the dark world of sin and have the light of God in your heart, whether you feel it or not.  The next step is to begin practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer, talking to God; studying the Bible, the source of truth; and finding a church that teaches the Bible and provides association with other believers.  I also encourage you to share this blog posting with others, so they too can escape the dark world of sin.  May God bless everyone reading this post.