GOD’S WORD OF LIGHT (5)

“Therefore He says: “AWAKE, you who sleep, ARISE from the dead, and CHRIST WILL GIVE YOU LIGHT”– Ephesians 5:14

The corollary of GOD’S WORD of LIGHT declared by Prophet Isaiah, is found in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians: “Therefore He says: “AWAKE, you who sleep, ARISE from the dead, and CHRIST WILL GIVE YOU LIGHT” (Eph.5:14). Jesus in His first coming was likened to the sunrise or dayspring: “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the DAYSPRING from on high has visited us; TO GIVE LIGHT to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk.1: 78-79). For centuries, Israel and especially the Gentile nations had been in spiritual darkness. But the coming of Jesus signified the dawn of a new day, as prophesied: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a GREAT LIGHT; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a LIGHT HAS SHINED” (Isa.9:2).

Jesus was the Sunrise from on High. Now when we come to know Him the same thing occurs. The light shines in the darkness of our own lives and in that Light, we can see (Psa.39:6). We can see ourselves for what we are. We can see the Lord Jesus for who He truly is. We can see the purpose for life. God declared “Let there be light!” in the life of every born-again Believer and there was light: “For it is the God who commanded LIGHT TO SHINE out of darkness, who has SHONE IN OUR HEARTS to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor.4:6).

God’s clarion call and mandate to us as His children is to AWAKE, ARISE and SHINE so that we can declare His glory in the nations of the earth! In the New Covenant however, He does merely give us light, He Himself IS our LIGHT: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I AM THE LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jh.8:12). Having seen light in His Light, the Lord now refers to Believers by the same title: “YOU ARE THE LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Mt.5:14).

Being Light means that we have been empowered by God to bring hope, joy, love, good tidings, deliverance, solutions, illumination, wisdom, and revelation to those around us: “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you SHINE AS LIGHTS in the world” (Phil.2:15). The world we live in is characterised and covered by “gross darkness” and like never before, our Father-God has called us to be light bearers, empowered and commissioned to arise in every sphere of influence, dispel the darkness around us, and shine the light of His Kingdom.

As children of God, we’re light just as Christ is LIGHT (Mt.5:14). We’re followers and reflectors of His Light. In His Light we see light (Psa.39:6). In following Him, we possess the Light of Life (Jh. 8:12). We have the power to light up our world. As we go about our daily businesses, activities, and ministries, let’s remember that Christ expects us to Arise and Shine our lights to dispel the darkness – of ignorance, unbelief, hatred, selfishness, wickedness, and diverse kinds of evil – around us. By doing this the Glory of our Lord Jesus is risen and seen in our lives as His people. Light no matter how little has the capacity to dispel darkness. Beloved, it’s time to AWAKE, ARISE and SHINE!