Christian Weapon - Light
The light from a single candle flame overcomes darkness. The Light of God overcomes even blindness.
Scripture References
Commentary
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.
--- John Wesley
Sergeant's Notes
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21 NKJV)
- "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)
- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV)
- ...complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21 NKJV)
- Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 NKJV)
- ...loose the chains of injustice... untie the cords of the yoke... set the oppressed free... break every yoke... share your food with the hungry... provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him... (do not) turn away from your own flesh and blood... Then your light will break forth like the dawn... do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk... spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness... (Isaiah 58:6-11 NIV)
- ...abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men... (1 Peter 2:11-15 NKJV)
- ...they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. (Acts 4:18-21 NKJV)
- He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:3 NKJV)
- I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:1-3 NKJV)
- Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23 NKJV)
- So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. (Psalm 61:8 KJV)
- Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12 NKJV)
Commentary
- Leading from the front, Jesus demonstrated to the world as well as to His disciples "what right looks like" in the Father's eyes.
- We are not saved by good works, but so that we are able to do them.
- Our good works are not done for our own glory and in our own name. Instead, they are done for His glory and in His name, so that all that see them glorify God.
- Worship is much more than music. It is the totality of a life that is lived for the glory and praise of God.
- We are commanded to do our alms in secret, so that our Father will reward us in secret, as opposed to seeking the reward of men. Nevertheless, we are also commanded to let our light shine before men, so that they may glorify God.
- Praising God in word, in deed, and in song, in a public arena, with a heart that is seeking glory for God only, is a powerful tactic against the forces of darkness.
- The world, as part of the modern cultural war, is doing everything in its power to restrict any semblance of worshiping Jesus Christ to the church campus and to the family residence. They want the good works; just don't mention that Name they plead! We should submit to human authority, except were it contravenes the scriptures.
- Good works will put to silence foolish men; rather than foolish men put to silence the Word of God!
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.
--- John Wesley
Sergeant's Notes
- Military doctrine employs proper lighting as one component of physical security measures, and for force protection.
- City streets that are well lighted have significantly lower crime rates.