John 12:44 – Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” (NLT)
The subject of God’s judgment will always generate debate amongst Christians. However, when I read this passage, I am not struck with fear by the talk of judgment, for I know who holds me for eternity. I am struck by a particular verse in this passage that doesn’t speak of a coming judgment but speaks to my life right now – this very day!
Let’s look at verse 46: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” As I see it, so many Christians are so busy debating about what God might do to some nonbeliever in a future judgment that they have forgotten that Christianity is about something more than the hereafter. Christianity is also about the here and now! A 2019 survey by the Pew Foundation reports that 65% of Americans identify as Christian. If these statistics are true, are we to believe that 65% of Americans are no longer in the dark spiritually, and walking in the light? I find it difficult to believe that this can be the case. When I consider the brokenness in many Christian homes, the abuse, the addiction, I find it difficult to believe that two thirds of the people in our country are walking in Jesus’ light.
How do we walk in this light? Jesus tells us in verse 46 – by trusting in Jesus. Too many who claim to be Christian see this trust as a trust in some future event (salvation for their souls) only. How about trusting Jesus enough to live like Jesus right now? How about trusting Jesus enough to humbly serve the needs of others right now? How about trusting in Jesus enough to love all people right now? I could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture.
Today, let us trust in Jesus so that we will walk in the Light this day. Let us trust in Jesus so that the darkness of this world will not control and direct our words and actions.
Posted by Ramón Torres
What a difference Christians can make in the world if we would live and love like Jesus.