As far as the OP, about Christ being the light of the world - AMEN! But what does that mean to us as believers? Again, we need to remember the character of God. He is both love and Justice. He is gentle and strong. He comes to transform us, but part of that is reminding us to obey him, never forgetting what he has saved us from! Our sins.
I found this interesting part of Ephesians, the same book that has Eph. 2:8-10 in it. You know "by grace we are saved!"
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
First, Paul opens with a joyful rejoicing and encourages us with how Christ loved us, we are beloved children and that we do need to imitate Christ. And that is not a trial or a burden! Verses 1 & 2
Second, Paul gives instructions on how to walk in the light, even as Christ is the light of the world. Are these words of encouragement? No, they are strong words of warning. They are words of correction and instruction, certainly rebuke. Paul does not mince any words:
".... Has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." Vs. 5c.
Third, Paul comes back to the topic at hand - instructions as to how to please God. And that means walking as children of the light, talking no part in unfruitful words of darkness but exposing them!
We do this by being discerning, and exposing the darkness to the light! Vases 10, 11. Why exposing it? Because as Christians, we expose darkness because the light makes it visible!
So why do people keep pulling verses out of context? We need both love (we are in the light) and we need to warn even Christians concerning unrighteousness.
So you are all right! But you are all missing the essence of what Christ said. By walking in the light, we expose the darkness. Paul was addressing Christians, and in verse 4 he commands "Let there be no......."
Please remember that for every member and Christian reading these posts, there are those shadow "guests" showing at the bottom of the thread. Right now, I seem to be the only member on-line. But three guests! That means 75% more guests than members. Are these members saved? Are they looking to be saved? Are they atheists looking for ammunition against Christians?
I don't know, but God does. Perhaps if I was being wooed by the Holy Spirit, I would need to be convicted of sin. Certain people provide that message. Praise God for them!
Others remind us of the mercy and grace of God! Praise God for them!
What those guests don't need to see is the continuous bickering, slandering and calling out the "other" side, which is not the "other" side, but two sides of the same coin! Or in fact, the character of God - God being both love and Justice.
I just pray that people will start:
1. Posting verses in context. I think half the problems in this forum come from posting individual verses.
2. Not slandering others because you don't agree with them. But what there is to not agree with, I am not certain. The passage above, is proof that we do need to be reminded of both God's love and his wrath against sin. We do need to be reminded of God's mercy and grace, and his rebuke for sin. And if God chooses to have us emphasize one more than the other at certain times in our lives, do not forget either from where we came, nor where we are going, through Christ Jesus!
