Titus 1 The God of Light Part 7

 


Titus 1 : 1-3

"Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at His appointed season He brought His word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior"

Ever been afraid of the dark? Or maybe you’ve had a child that was afraid of the dark? Being in the dark can be scary and it makes sense that the analogy is used in the Bible. Light reveals what was in darkness. Our sins are like the darkness, revealed by the light of the gospel, so that, by faith, through the working of the Holy Spirit, in the preaching of the gospel, we are exposed as sinners and redeemed. Light is used in the Bible as a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope and of God’s Word. This is in opposition to what darkness symbolizes: evil, sin and despair. Shining light exposes our darkness. We rely on the light of life to break through our darkness and light the way to eternal life.

Paul says that His word was brought to light. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Jesus says, in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whosoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Jesus is God’s word made manifest, therefore, just as the word of God is light, so, too, is Jesus. The Creator of light causes it to make things grow and permeate every crack and crevice. Jesus saying He is the light of the world makes the point that He, too, should permeate our whole lives.

Once again, Paul establishes how he has the authority to preach. The preaching was entrusted to him “by the command of God our Savior.” He brings the truth to light; the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. He is reiterating that He was sent by the Savior to preach the gospel.

We can all share this light by sharing the gospel. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” God the Father planned the work of salvation; Jesus carried out the work of salvation by His death and resurrection. God the Holy Spirit brings this truth to us through the preaching of the gospel. When we have the Holy Spirit working in us, the light of the gospel should become evident. Jesus said, in Matthew 5:14, that “You are the light of the world.” When we live for Jesus, we will glow brightly and those who are living in spiritual darkness will be attracted by the light and want to be in it. When we go along with the crowd, instead of speaking up when we should, we are hiding the light. When we deny God’s truth or we live in sin, we are dimming and extinguishing the light as well. Luke 8:17 says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be made known and come to light.” Be proud of God’s light and truth and, like Paul, share it with those around you because in the end, nothing will stay hidden; God’s light will reveal all.

1.        What does light symbolize in the Bible?

2.        Why does Paul tell us that “He brought His word to light”?

3.        How is it possible for us to be lights?

4.        Why should we share the light of the gospel?

5.        How do we shine a light in this dark world? Where in the Bible can we find more references to this?

 

Gracious God, Lord of light, Savior and Creator; thank you for the light of the gospel, the preaching of Your word and Your work of salvation. Help me to be a light shining in the dark world. Forgive my sins and leave me not in darkness but fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be a light to others. Amen

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