The True Light

Contrary to the claims of politicians and some church leaders, Jesus is the only true light in this dark world.

According to the Apostle John, life is found in Jesus of Nazareth, and that life is “the light of men.” This light radiates in the darkness, but “the darkness cannot comprehend it.” Christ himself declared, “I am the light of the world.” Every man and woman who follows him has the light of life and therefore no longer walks in darkness – (John 1:1-4, 8:12).

The Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation of Corinth that the same God who declared, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has illuminated the hearts of believers by graciously giving them “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” – (2 Corinthians 4:6).

According to the Letter to the Hebrews, the Son of God is the “radiating brightness of God’s glory” and the precise representation of His nature. The Son is the embodiment of his Father’s full and final word. In Jesus, God has “spoken in a son” – (Hebrews 1:1-3).

[Lantern - Photo by Vladimir Fedotov (Chile) on Unsplash]

Scripture is clear. Light, life, revelation and truth are found only in Jesus Christ, and the God who made all things cannot be known and understood apart from the Nazarene. “No man comes to the Father except through me!” – (John 14:6).

In this dark world, politicians and their supporters invoke the name of “god” to validate their programs and power, and they employ popular religious ideas when doing so. Too often, patriotism and religious faith become intertwined, and no longer are distinguishable. Any lack of nationalistic fervor becomes tantamount to religious heresy.

Far too many church leaders approve of this abuse, especially when partisan feelings are high during elections and times of war. The inevitable result is the attempt to identify God, Jesus, and Christianity with the culture and government of the nation.

Presidents, kings, and dictators claim their country is the “shining light set on a hill” to illuminate the world and show humanity a higher way, an idolatrous assertion to which many church leaders, it seems, voice a hearty “Amen!”

Politicians are rarely selfless men. Their self-serving efforts to hijack the faith of Jesus Christ for political purposes is understandable from that perspective. However, it is an entirely different matter when Church leaders join this loud chorus, declaring that their nation is “the light of the world,” perhaps even the representative of God’s kingdom on Earth.

The issue is not whether a country, culture, or government is good or bad, or whether God champions democracy over other forms of government. Declaring that your political order is “Christian” and similar claims contradict the teachings of the New Testament, especially the declaration that Jesus and no one else is the light of the world and the way of truth.

The light of Christ’s message is reflected for men and nations to see by the Church and the disciples of Jesus, and not by the politicians or the governments and regimes of this dark age. The light of the Gospel calls men and women of every nation to be reconciled with God and one another.

Jesus gave his life for the entire world, “for all nations.” He did not die on the Roman Cross for only one nation, ethnic group, culture, civilization, or political system. Only he is the light.

When church leaders embrace the idea that the nation or its political ideology is the light, it demonstrates just how far many of us have strayed from the Apostolic Faith in our pursuit of political influence and power.

ONLY JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF LIGHT

There is no true light, liberty, peace, lasting prosperity, or everlasting life without Jesus of Nazareth, the man in whom the ‘Logos’, the Word of God, became embodied. He alone is the living expression of God – (John 1:14).

The Bible declares that the Church of Christ transcends all national, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, at least in theory. Jesus summons his people to become a priestly kingdom that mediates his truth and light to a dark world. Super nationalism and other forms of state idolatry hinder, if not discredit, this mission.

Jesus did not establish his Church to promote and justify the political ideologies of this age, but instead, to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the salvation that is now offered to every nation, ethnic group, and individual.

As the disciples of the Lamb of God, we are called to proclaim his words to all men wherever they may live, and this is why Jesus granted the Gift of the Spirit to his assembly, to empower believers to testify about Jesus to humanity. This mission must continue until the very last day:

• “And so, it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you. But wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” – (Luke 24:46-49. Verbal allusion to Isaiah 43:10 [“You are my witnesses, says Yahweh, and my servant whom I have chosen”]).

• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you: and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” – (Acts 1:8. Allusion to Psalm 2:8 [“And the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession”]).

• “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole habitable earth, for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come!” – (Matthew 24:14).

We are pilgrims in this sinful age, and our citizenship is in God’s Kingdom. To be a loyal citizen of His kingdom requires that we give total allegiance to our one and only Sovereign, Jesus Christ.

The immersion of Christians in partisan politics has distracted them from their paramount duty. When they redirect their efforts elsewhere, their “lamps” fade, and they cease reflecting the light of Jesus.

This is not a call to passivity or disengagement from the world, but an exhortation for followers of Jesus to re-engage with the world using the methods described in the Bible. This includes prayer, self-sacrificial service, showing mercy to enemies, and sharing the teachings of Christ. Above all, we must become radiant lights for Jesus of Nazareth.

The Kingdom of God will prevail in the world because of the faithful testimony of the Church, and not through any of the powers of this age.

• “And they overcame the Dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and because they loved not their own lives, even unto death” - (Revelation 12:11).

[NOTE: Text printed in small capital letters represents quotations and allusions of Old Testament passages]

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SEE ALSO:

• The Unholy City - (Babylon is the source of the ideologies and structures of this world. God is calling His saints to come out of the defiled city before it is too late)

• No Other Name! - (Jesus Christ fulfills God’s promise to bless all nations through His Covenant with Abraham. There is salvation in No Other Name)

• To the Ends of the Earth - (The Good News of Jesus Christ and his victory over death offers hope, life, and salvation to men and women of every nation)

• La Verdadera Luz - (Contrariamente a las afirmaciones de los políticos y algunos líderes de la iglesia, Jesús es la única luz verdadera en este mundo oscuro)