By Dr. Robert Walsh, PhD.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

On the night of July 13, 1977, the lights went out in New York City. Some people made positive efforts to help each other cope with such an unusual situation, but in many parts of the city, stores were ransacked, looted, and destroyed. Buildings were set ablaze. One report indicates that the police made 3,776 arrests, which some estimate represented only a fraction of actual crimes committed. 1,037 fires burned throughout the city, six times the average rate, while the fire department also had to respond to 1,700 false alarms. New York City was a very dangerous place during the blackout.

We rely on light to illuminate, clarify, and provide direction. The first thing one does when stepping into a darkened room is to flip the light-switch on. Light converts the room from a hidden and forbidding place to a place where pitfalls and blind corners are easily recognized. Likewise, this spiritually dark world in which we live has its own set of unseen dangers. There are plenty of things to stumble over - an experience common to all of us (Rom 3:23). A steadfast light with the ability to shine through and remove the darkness has been made available to each of us. That light is Jesus Himself, and His Word (Ps 119:105). All we have to do is believe on the name of Jesus Christ to have access to this illuminating source.

The 17th chapter of John records Jesus’ high priestly prayer of intercession on behalf of his disciples. In particular, verse 14 records the conflict between those who believe and trust in Jesus, and the world, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” In these words, Jesus says something profound about His relationship with those who believe in Him. The Believer is valued. Jesus has entrusted His followers with the Word of God. But this verse also warns us that Believers are in danger because of their association with Christ. The dark, evil world hates Believers just as it hated Him. The darkness of the world tries to overwhelm us, but when we allow Christ to illuminate the hidden pitfalls, we can be protected. All the false values represented by the world system lose their attractiveness when the Believers’ focus is upon Jesus. It is only then that the world’s values are exposed to be trash. The world hates exposure of its sham values, especially when we witness to the lost.

The Bible tells us that Believers are to be in the world, but not of the world. So live B.I.G., with a focus on Jesus, saving the lost, trusting God to illuminate the path before you. He will provide the tools to navigate this world without becoming tainted by it. We don’t have to walk in darkness, Jesus is the light of life!