Light up this Generation
Light up this Generation
Friday, March 23, 2018
It is sad but true, Christianity has been steadily declining in the United States. And it is not only among the younger generation, it is remarkably widespread across all generations, gender, race, educational, and geographical barriers. A research by Pew estimates that there are 5 million less protestants today than there were only ten years ago The research points to a growing dissatisfaction with Christianity amongst Christians and non-Christians alike. What is the reason for this decline? And more importantly, do we as Christians communicate the Good News to a generation that is running from it?
It would be easy to blame the decline of Christianity on the avalanche of secularism promulgated throughout society. Secularism however is only a symptom of a greater problem, the lack of light in the world. Where there is an absence of light people crash into things, stumble, and they fall. In the Old Testament, God had established Israel to be a light to the world. “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49) But Israel allowed their light to extinguish. And so the people were crashing, stumbling, and falling.
“In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… …The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… …The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:4,5,14
In the Old Testament, the people reflected their light through their military victories. God would allow the Israelites to be in an impossible situation where there was no apparent way for them to win. Then God would show up and miraculously give them the victory. In defeat, the opposing nations would surrender and accept that the God of Israel was the most powerful God in the world. In the New Testament, the way Jesus shone his light was through grace and truth. And wow, did he ever bring light into the world; sinners were drawn to him by the multitudes.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
In the Old Testament, it was through military battles that Israel reflected their light. Then Jesus came into the world and shone his light through grace and truth. In this generation, we have been called to reflect Jesus’ light by our good deeds. Not just any good deeds though; we are to follow Jesus’ example of grace and truth. Truth alone is not enough, it also needs to be accompanied by an abundance of grace.
The way in which we communicate the Good News to a generation that is running from God is to face up to our responsibility to be a light unto a world that is living in darkness. We cannot produce our own light, but as mirrors, we need to strategically position our lives to reflect Jesus through grace and truth.
Questions
- Why do you believe this generation is running from the Good News?
- Can you give an example or two of Israel reflecting light through military battle?
- In the Old Testament, Israel reflected light through military battles. How did Jesus produce light in the New testament?
- Have you seriously assumed the responsibility to reflect light wherever God has placed you?
- How should you reflect the light of Jesus to those around you who are living in darkness?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to be a light to this generation that is living in darkness. I want that the grace and truth that Jesus so lovingly shone through his light be also visible in me. I pray that my good deeds would be reflective of Jesus’ example, so that the lost will no longer stumble or fall, instead, by my reflecting the light of Jesus, may I lead them in a growing relationship with him. Thank you Father and in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
