Light to a broken world – Part 12

Key verse: Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden,” (ESV).

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus compares His followers to light, saying they are the light to a broken world and they cannot be hidden. They cannot be hidden because their impact cannot go unnoticed. Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It is bright; it dispels darkness and it enables people to see what they are doing. Christians are the light of the world with a mandate to rescue the world out of its brokenness. The world is lost in sinfulness, immorality, wickedness and all sorts of evil. God has sent Christians as children of light to shine for Christ, so that, every darkness in the world will give way. We should be people of integrity; flawless in character and guided by the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

We live in a hurting and broken world that is quickly falling towards disaster and destruction. Everywhere we turn… everywhere we look… everywhere we go… we discover broken hearts, broken homes, broken hopes and broken lives. And it is not only sad — it is scary! We can hardly pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV or get online without finding suffering, violence, poverty, war, pain, death and more. The brokenness breaks our hearts. Yet,amid living in a broken world, there’s hope! And this hope is found in none other than Jesus Christ. He is the only hope for our world. He is our only peace! And God has called those of us who have experienced His peace to be peacemakers by sharing His love and grace with others.

Today, people around the world are hurting and disillusioned with the false promises of peace that society and media offer. Individuals are struggling to find meaning and spirituality in hollow philosophies and religions. People need a message of hope that can transform their shattered and painful lives into something meaningful and beautiful. They need a Saviour who can free them from their pains. They need the good news of Jesus Christ, the only message that can change their lives forever. Gratefully, we have Jesus Christ who offers us hope and a new life.

We all were held captive to sin and can do nothing to free ourselves from slavery (John 8:34; Romans 6:20). We were helpless and in dire need of a Saviour. However, Jesus came down from Heaven and took on human flesh, so that, He could die in place of sinful humans (Philippians 2:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ set us free from sin since “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross,” (Colossians 2:14, NLT). Not only are we set free from sin because of Jesus, but He also gives us a new life when we place our faith in His death and resurrection. Scripture tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2Corinthians 5:17).

Your past life of sin has no hold on you anymore because the Holy Spirit enters you at salvation, giving you a spiritual new birth (John 3:7-8; Titus 3:5). Now, you can live for Christ and make a difference in the world (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, telling others about Jesus is the best way to speak life into this broken world. Only Christ can free people from sin, give them a new life and offer hope of an eternity spent with Him. No other message brings life like the good news of Jesus Christ.

• Today’s nugget: Jesus offers hope and a new life. Prayer: Lord Jesus come into my life. Prayer lines: 08033299824.E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi,General Superintendent,Assemblies of God, Nigeria.