How to Be a Witness of Light to the World
How can we be a witness to the true light, when we ourselves are not the light? John Chapter 1 uniquely presents Christ by declaring the truth of Christ’s beauty, power, and Glory. John wrote that Christ is the true light of the world. The light that brings eternal life. The word of God—every truth and every promise fulfilled. God’s oath to provide a Savior for fallen man was fulfilled in Christ. The only light that could penetrate the darkened hearts of man is God’s light. The only light that can reach into self-exalting, pride filled hearts to cause them to turn and see the glorious beauty of Christ in all of God’s Glory is Jesus Christ. The only light that can shine so brightly that man can see the darkness of his own sin filled heart and fall before His creator in awe-inspired worship is the light of Christ to the World.
[bctt tweet=”When God becomes our greatest desire, His Glory will shine through us to light a darkened world. “]
Why in the midst of presenting Christ did John stop and talk about John the Baptist? Both times, when the apostle John mentioned the “witness” John it was with the presentation of who John the Baptist is not. In both cases, it was written that John bore witness to the light; however, John was not the light. John the Baptist himself responded when questioned with the fact that he was not Christ, he was not Elijah, he was not the prophet, and he was not the true light. He was merely a “voice crying into the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1: 23). In fact, over and over—John’s response when questioned was “I AM NOT” the one, I have no significance and I am no-one of importance. I am merely a witness to the only important one. I am a voice—Christ is the Gospel, Christ is the Word, Christ is the light, and Christ is the only one who can give life.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT THAT JOHN IS NOT THE LIGHT?
“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). We as witnesses to Christ must always be aware of the fact that we are NOT the light. We are called to bear witness to the light. We are commanded to go out and to spread the gospel. That was the means that God intended that the gospel be spread—through the witnesses of truth. Yet, knowing man’s heart which is so quickly bent on self-exaltation, jealousy, pride, envy and the like—we are reminded very early in the Gospel of John that we must always remember, “We are not the light.”
HOW THEN CAN I BE A LIGHT TO A DARKENED WORLD-IF I AM NOT LIGHT?
1. Always remember that the harvest belongs to God only. I must not become discouraged when my labors seem in vain, nor elated when they appear fruitful. “5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3).
2. Always remember the Grace by which I was saved-“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2)
3. Always remember to begin each day with praise. “ Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake” (Psalm 115).
4. Prayer—there is nothing that keeps you more focused on the truth than to sit and talk with God each morning
5. Study the Word—the more Christ is revealed to you in Scripture—the less you look at yourself.
[bctt tweet=”My prayer each day is to empty myself of vain desires, that I may be a mirror to reflect Christ.”]
The song I chose for you today is: It’s All About You, Jesus
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©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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