How do we live as the light of the world?

Jesus told us that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5: 13-16). So is Jesus himself (John 8: 12), and so is the Bible (Psalm 119: 105).
Colossians 3 and 4 indicates a number of key ways in which our life styles become moulded by that of Jesus.

We need to recognise and appreciate our family union with Jesus. A family union is a DNA union. It is also a mystical union. A family carries genetic and inherited material even in the soul. It cannot be explained purely in terms of scientific empirical phenomena, but passes over into an area that defies definition and control. The ascension of our selves into the life of the third heaven has not yet occurred, but we “have been raised with Christ” (Eph 2: 6) by receiving relationship with Christ. Believers have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and He is the person who enables us to be in direct communion or direct and intimate fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We share in him as the Light. We should, therefore, seek the things that are above where he is. (Col 3: 1-4). “for you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” When we were united with Christ through repentance and faith, we died to sin. We chose to live as people not enslaved to sin. Sin could no longer hold us condemned.

It follows that we need to put to death the things in us that belong to our sinful nature. In this we look into Colossians 3: 5. Examples include:

1. Sexual impurity. There is no room for compromise, no room for fantasy adultery, no room for voyeurism or pornography, because sex is so good and beautiful that God wants it preserved for fulfilling relationships.

2. Greed , which is one of the cultivated anti-virtues of our era.

3. Inappropriate anger, malice and hatred.

4. Abusive and dishonest language.

Let us be reminded that the light of Christ is expressed in relationships, in ethics, and in lifestyle. It is not about philosophy or some vague type of spirituality. It is about knowing God and reflecting him in the world. On Anzac Parade is a thin blue line. If I stuck to it rigidly, I would cause an accident! It was made for Olympic marathon athletes, and not for motorists. We need to follow the thin white line, that is the revelation of Scripture that comes to us from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lindsay Johnstone

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