Light in a Dark World

By Jesse LeMay

                Perth, Western Australia became known worldwide as the “City of Lights” when U.S astronaut John Glenn told the world he had seen the city’s lights during his historic orbit around the earth on February 20^th, 1962. To acknowledge the historic mission of the first American orbiting the globe, the citizens of Perth turned on their lights for Glenn to see all the way from space. In commemoration of that important event in history, Glenn made the same trip 36 years later and once again the people of Perth responded. Commenting on the action, the late astronaut said, “This time I could see the ground again, and it looked to me as though the lights of Perth and Rockingham were even more vivid than they had been back 36 years before in 1962, so it was a great view and once again we were happy to be able to say hello to the people of Perth on that dark side of the earth as I was going around” (watoday.com.au). No doubt the city had grown with more lights to shine, and the people wanted them to be seen.

                During His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that as Christians we are “the light of the world,” a proverbial “city” set on a hill which “cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Notice that He didn’t say we are to “be a” light, but that we “are the” light of the world. Just as the lights of Perth shone in the darkness, we as Christians are the light in a dark world. Our Lord would go on to command us to “Shine” our light in such a way that brings glory to God through our good works (5:16). Perth was brighter the second time because of the growth of the city. Likewise, as we grow as individual Christians, and as the church grows, the light of Christ should continue to shine brighter and brighter in us.

                In order for others to see God’s light we have to shine it. By helping those in need, by loving others, by applying the principles in the “beatitudes,” we provide the opportunity for those in the dark world to say “hello” to the Lord. Let us always be striving for our Christian light to become more and more vivid every day. May the church of Christ forever be the light in a world of darkness.

Why Do You Believe?

By Jesse LeMay

Why do you believe in Christ? Has anyone ever asked you that question? Have you ever personally thought about it? Does it even matter if we know why, and can tell others the reason for our faith? Knowing why we believe is crucial. Christianity is not a blind faith. Furthermore, being able to share such evidence with others is something we are called to do as Christians. Preparation plays a major role in our daily “walk” as members of the body of Christ. In what way though does this preparation manifest itself?

            Peter, an apostle of the Lord, knew the value and importance of being prepared. He said, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, …” (1 Peter 3:15). The apostle knew that there would be skeptics and doubters that Christians would encounter. This is no different today than it was in the first century. It is our responsibility as Christians to “always” be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks” about our beliefs. To tell others why we have that confident expectation of eternal life with God. So, how do we prepare ourselves? By making it a priority to know the Scriptures. If we aren’t prepared, we can’t give a “defense.” Spend more time truly studying (not just reading) God’s word. As we learn and grow, our confidence and readiness will grow also.

            Equally as important as Peter’s instruction to be ready to make a defense, is the last part of the same verse. He ends by saying, “yet with gentleness and reverence.” This is something that all Christians must remember when defending their faith. Our goal is not to prove wrong the one with doubt, but to help bring them to an understanding of the truth of God’s word. We must remember that their eternal soul is at stake, as was ours when we came to accept and obey the truth of the gospel. So, let us always be prepared to defend the Holy Scriptures in which we have placed our eternal hope. When others ask, “Why do you believe?” may we know with certainty the answer to be given.

A Closely “Knotted” Family

By Jesse LeMay

                My wife and I recently attended the wedding of a young Christian couple in Oklahoma. One neat thing they did during the ceremony was tie together three cords, which symbolized the strength that a “cord of three” has (Eccl. 4:12). A marriage that is knotted together with three strands, husband, wife, and God, is not easily broken. If God is put at the center of the marriage covenant, chances of life-long unity greatly increase. Such a concept applies to the whole of the family structure as well.

                In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus he described the bond that should tie the family together. It starts with the husband and father. He is to love his wife “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (5:25). Jesus displayed unconditional and sacrificial love for His church. As a father, he is not to “provoke” his children to anger, “but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (6:4). The goal of any parent should be to teach them about Christ and His will for them.

                Next, Paul says that just as the church is subject to Christ, wives are to be “subject” to their husbands in everything “as to the Lord” (5:22-24). The church is part of the body of Christ, and so too is the wife part of the husband. However, just as Christ is the head of the church, the husband is the head of the family according to God’s design.

                Lastly, Paul tells the children to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (6:1). Children increasingly grow more independent the older they get. They may even show a bit of defiance. Nevertheless, God expects them to be obedient to the ones who are caring for them and trying to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

                Such principles are not always easy to put into practice. However, did you notice the common thread in all three? It is the Lord! With Christ being that bond which ties the marriage and family together, it is possible. Interestingly, the more that each of these is done, the more we are “filled up in Spirit” (5:18)! Implementing God’s will in the family means we are ever strengthening that knot.