True discipleship: Light of the world

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김정호목사 

Dr. Jung-Ho Kim, Pastor   

¹⁴ 너희는 세상의 빛이라 산위에 있는 동네가 숨기우지 못할 것이요 ¹⁵ 사람이 등불을 켜서 말 아래 두지 아니하고 등경 위에 두나니 이러므로 집안 모든 사람에게 비취느니라 ¹⁶ 이같이 너희 빛을 사람 앞에 비취게 하여 저희로 너희 착한 행실을 보고 하늘에 계신 너희 아버지께 영광을 돌리게 하라. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16)

FCF: We are likely to fail to shed the light of Christ to the world.

주제:  참된 제자는 세상의 빛이기에 우리는 세상을 향하여 하나님을 보여주는 대표자들이어야 한다.

Theme: Because true disciples are the light of the world, we should be visible representatives of God to the world.

Introduction 

During this summer, we had a chance to tour the Mid-western part of America. The best of our trip was to watch the moonrise and sunrise in the Rocky Mountain National Park. We didn’t anticipate watching both of these natural beauties. We simply drove toward the highest point in the Rocky Mountain. When we got there, it was so cold even in July. We walked up to the highest peak where we took some pictures. Though my son Joel had stomachache, he accompanied us to that place. It was windy and cold. From the top of the region, we looked around the world, which was awesome in and of itself. Unable to spend much there due to cold temperature, we got back down and headed down to a nearby town. Driving on a meandering road, we enjoyed watching wild animals walking nearby. Probably a third way down, we saw darkness rapidly covering the mountains. Then, we were awestruck by the moon that began to show off its mystic round face. The moon radiated its beaming face, dispelling a dark shroud from the mountain range. The big, happy moon shed light on our path, guiding us joyfully. We couldn’t stay inside the car. We stopped by a rest area. As usual, my wife enjoyed taking pictures of the view. There were other people fascinated by it. While talking about the beauty of the moonlight, we decided to spend a night in that rest area. We felt special about staying in a part of the moonlit mountain range. 

We wondered how opulent the sunrise would be if the moonrise was so overwhelming. Throughout the night, the moon shone around us. We felt as if it were our company during that lone night. It was cold. Three of us, sleeping in a small car, felt cold and congested. But, we tried to sleep. My son seemed to sleep fast. Fortunately, the night elapsed fast, though we felt like getting ill. When I opened my eyes, I didn’t know what time it was. But there were some who got out of their cars. So, I woke my wife and my son. It took time for us to extricate ourselves from the clutters in that congested place. Finally, we were able to get out to welcome the sun rising out of the horizon. We were waiting eagerly for the appearance of the smiling sun. There were people standing nearby us, wearing winter clothes. Everyone was silently waiting for the daybreak. There was sort of a sense of expectation in the hearts of these people. Then, all of a sudden, the sun began to show its face little by little as a bride uncovering her veil slowly. None of them said anything. All of them were overwhelmed with the grandiose beauty of the sunrise. As it rose, all their eyes were watching its every movement. It was an awesome, opulent view that I had never seen anywhere. The light of sun began to illumine the darkness-covered world. As soon as the light began to illumine, the curtain of darkness began to move backward swiftly. My wife tried to capture this wonderful view by camera. Soon, the sun was up in the air. The darkness dissipated from the world. We were enjoying the light and warmth of the sun out there. I saw the power of light against darkness. Light dispels darkness so easily and thoroughly. Darkness can’t stand the power of light.

In v. 14, Jesus uses the powerful metaphor of light to describe what His disciples are and what their responsibilities are in the world. Two weeks ago, I covered the truth true disciples are called “the salt of the earth.” Today, I would like to take up the other half of Christians’ twofold nickname “salt” and “light.” The Lord emphatically calls His disciples as the light of the world: 정말 너희들이야말로 세상의 빛이로다. “None other than you, you alone, are the light of the world.” This is a powerful and honorable statement. Scripture calls God, Jesus, Israel, or Christians as light. Jews applied this term to distinguished rabbis. Jesus, designating us as the light of the world, bestows honor, dignity, and duty on His disciples. Indeed, Jesus himself is the light of the world (Jn. 8:12). God Himself is the light that gives the light of life to His people through Jesus Christ. He also gives His people the calling of the light to the world. Christ is the Source of light of life, too. We have received the light from Jesus Christ so that we reflect the light of life to the darkened world. Jesus teaches from the text that true disciples are light-reflectors of Jesus for the world. This truth demands that we are to be a visible representation of God to the world. Let me say it again: because true disciples are the light of the world, we must be a visible representation to the world. I have four points under this theme to share with you. First, true disciples are

I. 참된 제자는 세상과는 대조적으로 보이는 존재이다.

 True disciples are contrastively visible to the world.

Light is the opposite of darkness, as life is the opposite of death. Such contrasts abound in Scripture. Believers are sons of light while unbelievers are sons of dark night. Especially, John the apostle in his writings uses much such contrast to show difference between them. Jesus here describes His disciples’ character and influence as “the light of the world.” He came down here to give light to the world. Now, He has left His disciples in a sin-darkened world to shine light. As we all know, light is distinctively visible in contrast to darkness. A small amount of light can’t be invisible in a darkened room. Like happily shining stars in a night sky, light appears distinguished from the backdrop of darkness. Scripture tells believers are light, whereas unbelievers are darkness. Paul says, 너희가 전에는 어두움이더니 이제는 주 안에서 빛이라 빛의 자녀들처럼 행하라. for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8). Difference between Christians and non-Christians is that of light and darkness. Though they may look alike in appearance, they are essentially different from each other. In the text, Jesus reveals two things about the light, which characterizes His people.

First, light is impossible to hide.  

In v. 14, He says, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” A city standing on a high hill is visible to the world. This city might refer to Jerusalem, which represents the light to the Gentile world. Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of hiding itself from the world. The light is visible to all who look at it. Probably at a far distance, travelers saw lights that shone from the city of Jerusalem located in a high mountain and were able to distinguish Jerusalem their final destination from other cities. Light is quite visible in the backdrop of darkness. Christ’s disciples are visible to the world. They can’t hide their identity from the world if they live truthfully in a darkened world. But some professing Christians seem indistinguishable from non-Christians and so deny their Christian name by their non-Christian behavior. Yet the essential difference remains and is visible. Jesus said they are as different as light from darkness, as different as salt from decay and disease. We serve neither God, nor ourselves, nor the world by attempting to obliterate or even minimize this difference.

John Wesley said, 기독교는 본질적으로 사회적인 종교이다. 기독교를 나홀로 종교로 바꾸는 것은 기독교를 파괴하는 것이다. “Christianity is essentially a social religion; and that to turn it into a solitary religion, is indeed to destroy it.” We are to relate to people of the world actively. We should not run away from it. We are to show God to the world. The world is always watching us, trying to test what we are. If we forget this fact, we tend to act like sons of darkness. But if we keep in mind our words and deeds are a visible representation of God to the world, we will ask for the Lord’s enablement and do our best to show the world what God is like through our righteousness and holiness. Again, everything we say and do is visible to the world. If not exposed now, it will be exposed later. And God sees everything about us, which is visible to God and which God can make visible to the world. Therefore, we are to walk wisely in the light of God’s word. If we are truly reflecting the light of life given from the Lord Jesus Christ, we are visibly differentiated from the dark world. What we are and what we are doing are laid bare before the eyes of the world. We can’t hide our Christianity if we are true to the teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes.

Second, it is absurd to hide. 

In v. 15, He says, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” In this verse, He shows us absurdity of hiding oneself. No one puts a lamp under a bowl if he wants to provide light to people in the room. If we are trying to hide our Christian status and character, we will certainly fail to make a godly influence upon the world. There is no legitimate reason to hide our true self unless we try to cover up our sins. So, we are visible in contrast to the darkened world. It means we should not conceal our Christian identity. We should not be afraid of announcing our Christian faith in public. We should not be ashamed of being Christ’s followers. Some deliberately skip a meal prayer in a public restaurant because they don’t want to draw unwanted attention to themselves. But if we get right into our food without thanking the Lord, desiring to hide our Christian identity from others, we fail to appreciate the importance and calling of our Christian status. We should refuse to act in contradiction to what we are in Christ.

Lighting a lamp in order to hide it under the peck measure is as senseless as thinking that a city built on a hill can be kept from the sight of those who pass by. In order to fulfill our Christian identity, we must be prepared to be located in places of clear visibility. This fact is a rebuke to me because I often desire to be in a secluded place for solitude. I am reminded that I am a light-bearer of God for the good of the world. I am reminded that I should go out and meet with people over whom I should be a godly influence. Christianity is not a secret religion. If we could be hid, we could not be compared to the light of the world, seen by all the world below. C. H. Spurgeon pointed out, “Your holiness makes you as conspicuous as the sun in the midst of heaven. As ye cannot go out of the world, so neither can ye stay in it without appearing to all mankind. Ye may not flee from men; and while ye are among them, it is impossible to hide your lowliness and meekness.” Our Christ-like character can’t be hid from others. Others indeed need Christ’s true disciples for salvation. Thus, we must realize we should be in the world, letting the light of Christ shine through the world by means of our true discipleship. 

Bonehoeffer says, 남들 눈에 보이지 않도록 도망하는 것은 부르심을 부인하는 것이다. 스스로를 숨기려 애쓰는 예수님의 공동체는 이미 그분 따르기를 멈춘 자들이다. “Flight into the invisible is a denial of the call. A community of Jesus which seeks to hide itself ceased to follow him.” He stood against the Nazi regime and was executed for his Christian conviction against Adolf Hitler. He didn’t escape from his own country, though he could have lived in America without fear of execution. He became the voice of Jesus Christ in the wilderness to the power-hungry people in Germany. He followed Christ until he became an offering of martyrdom at God’s altar. Instead of hiding himself from the threat of the Nazism, he made his Christian belief and conduct visible to the world. Paul says, 이는 너희가 흠이 없고 순전하여 어그러지고 거스리는 세대 가운데서 하나님의 흠 없는 자녀로 세상에서 그들 가운데 빛들로 나타내며. that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). If a lighthouse is invisible, it is worthless, unable to guide a wandering ship in the sea. The word “invisible lighthouse” is an oxymoron because light by nature is visible. Likewise, we should not run away from the world. Nor should we isolate ourselves from it. Instead, we should act according to the character of light in the world.

We are visible “little lights of Jesus” to the world. Then, what function does God want us to make to the world? Secondly, true disciples…

II. 참된 제자는 세상의 어두움을 드러낸다.

 True disciples expose the darkness of the world.

Light by nature exposes darkness. These two entities are opposite. Where light is, there darkness leaves. So, we are driving away darkness of the world by our Christian status and deeds. Paul exhorts us with the following words: 밤이 깊고 낮이 가까왔으니 그러므로 우리가 어두움의 일을 벗고 빛의 갑옷을 입자. ¹³ 낮에와 같이 단정히 행하고 방탕과 술 취하지 말며 음란과 호색하지 말며 쟁투와 시기하지 말고 ¹⁴ 오직 주 예수 그리스도로 옷입고 정욕을 위하여 육신의 일을 도모하지 말라. “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Rom. 13:12-14). The whole world is under darkness of sin. Only God’s people are lighting the world, exposing its various forms of sinful darkness. Our existence itself is against the world in the darkness. We expose the darkness of sin in the world through two ways.

First, we expose it through what we are.

Our status, namely, what we are in Christ, exposes what the world is. The worldly system and philosophy are in stark contrast with Christianity. We are saved by God’s unmerited favor and love. We are God’s precious children for whom Christ shed His blood for our sins. We do not bear guilt before God because Christ bore our guilt on the Cross. We are given eternal life, not through our works, but through Christ’s meritorious work. Thus, we belong not to the world of Satan, but to the church of Christ. We are not citizens of this perishing kingdom, but citizens of the kingdom of God. We serve our King Jesus, though the world serves its king Satan. We are bound to heaven, though the unbelieving world is bound to hell. So, we are different from the world in our belief, identity, citizenship, and destiny. Peter describes our Christian status and calling as follows: 오직 너희는 택하신 족속이요 왕 같은 제사장들이요 거룩한 나라요 그의 소유된 백성이니 이는 너희를 어두운데서 불러 내어 그의 기이한 빛에 들어가게 하신 자의 아름다운 덕을 선전하게 하려 하심이라. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). God has placed us in this world, so that the world would see our different status and come to know Him.

Second, we expose darkness of this world through what we do. 

Our Christian conduct emanates from our status. Though there is no perfect agreement between our status and our deeds, we certainly act according what we are. We are the sons of God, the children of light. So, we do things that belong to the light. The deeds of light are all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Paul supports this idea, saying, 너희가 전에는 어두움이더니 이제는 주 안에서 빛이라 빛의 자녀들처럼 행하라 빛의 열매는 모든 착함과 의로움과 진실함에 있느니라. “⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph.  5:8-9). In the context, these Ephesian believers used to commit the deeds of darkness such as drunkenness, sexual sins, dishonesty, idolatry, greed, and so on. But the fruit of the light is all good, righteous, and truthful deeds. These are illustrated in the beatitudes. In relation to the world, we are to be humble, merciful, peacemaking, and loving. These deeds put the world to shame.

Before John the Baptist God’s righteous prophet, King Herod was ashamed of his evil deed that he took his brother’s wife Herodias. So, he couldn’t silence the voice of righteousness, though he put him in prison. Jesus healed the sick, freed the demon-possessed, befriended the social outcasts, fed the hungry, and died for the sinners. All His deeds exposed the dark sins of the self-righteous Pharisees. Rev. Yangwon Shon adopted the killer of his two sons, exposing the sins of loveless violence of communism. Rev. Martin Luther King died for equal rights of his own race, exposing the sin of racism and segregation in America. The very purpose of being a Christian is to give light. Giving light is not an option. It is part of being Christ’s disciple. Jesus has chosen His own so that they may give light. It is the nature of light to shine, and when people have received the light of the gospel they will shine in a dark world. Paul says, ⁵ 너희는 다 빛의 아들이요 낮의 아들이라 우리가 밤이나 어두움에 속하지 아니하나니 ⁶ 그러므로 우리는 다른 이들과 같이 자지 말고 오직 깨어 근신할찌라. ⁵ For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶ So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober (1 Thess. 5:5-6). Our light reproves the deeds of darkness, and condemns them. Even though we were never to use a severe word, a godly life would be a stern rebuke of sin.

We are not like great champions of faith in history. But we share in the calling of God we should be God’s visible representatives through whom people find hope, faith, and love in God. I find the following story that illustrates our role of light in the world. God’s Garage is a place where many struggling women find help when dealing with car issues. Providing more than transportation to single mothers, widows, and wives of deployed military, God’s Garage is ministering through its mission of helping these women by restoring faith and providing opportunities for the road ahead to make life a little easier with a fresh start. Former pastor Chris Williams spearheads this incredible 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit garage that runs solely on donations and staffed by volunteers from all walks of life providing their set of skills to make this a garage heaven you want to spend time in.

Like the light at the end of a tunnel, Mr. Williams came to the conclusion that God’s Garage was his calling from God to make this venture he started 16 years ago into a reality for many to benefit from. One night, he was driving home in the rain and came across a mother and her child walking alongside the road. “I pulled over to offer them a ride and was surprised to see that I knew them from church, and taught her daughter in my class. I asked what had happened and found out that their vehicle had been in the shop for months,” shared Williams on his website. It was in this moment he knew what he had to do. Today God’s Garage has been able to move into a new building in Conroe, TX to continue to repair the cars donated and give them away to those in need. Let me quote you two comments on God’s Garage: 여기는 예수의 손과 발이 되는 것이 어떤 것인지를 정의해 주는 곳입니다. 여러분이 베풀어 주신 모든 것에 감사드립니다. “This place is the definition of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank u for all u R doing – Rachelle. 모든 것이 다 끝났다는 생각이 들었을 때 하나님은 좋으신 분이라는 영감이 들게 한 곳입니다. “Such an inspiration when you thought everything has failed…God Is Good” – Shenna. “With a holistic approach taken, the program not only provides the women with a free car, but they teach them how to take care of the car, how to talk to a mechanic, and teach them how to start a new budget to move forward from there,” said Williams. Mr. Williams has found how he is called to serve the world as God’s light. His generosity and willingness to help those in need serve as the light of the world, exposing selfishness and greed of the world. Each of us should take time to think on what we can do in order to shed light on the world.

Nocturnal creatures hate seeing the light. Vampires can’t take the light. Some prefer darkness to light because they are accustomed to living in it. If you flip over an old rock in the dirt, you will feel appalled at unseemly little insects crawling busily to hide themselves from the light. But we are God’s light-bearers who refuse to return to the world of darkness. People are likely to commit crimes at night. They don’t want to be seen. They use darkness to cover up their sins. When they see the light, we may act normally, trying to tell they are doing nothing wrong. The light exposes the sins of darkness. We should show the world the way, shining the light of Jesus Christ to it. When they truly see the light, they are encouraged to give up their sins of darkness. But, if we fail to shed light to them, we make them continue doing wrong. We must reflect the light of Christ to people who are prone to the deeds of darkness, so that they can come of darkness and walk in the light of Christ. 

We are visible to the world, exposing the sins of the world through our status and deeds. Now, what are we called to do as the light to the world? My third point is… 

III. 참된 제자는 빛을 비추는 일에 적극적으로 참여한다.

 True disciples actively engage in the work of shining light.

We are called the light to the world. Then, we are called to play our role actively in the world. We are not passively carrying out our responsibility to the world. As the light to the world, we are to actively engage in the work of shining our light out. The nature of light exposes the darkness of the world. Tasks of the light are twofold: life and enlightenment. In fact, by exposing the dark sins of the world, we are doing the two things.

First, we are to engage in an enlivening work. 

The light is the light of life. It is a life-giving light. John 1:4 says, 그 안에 생명이 있었으니 이 생명은 사람들의 빛이라. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Of course, we are not the source of life. Neither are we the source of the light. God has given us the light of life. Since we have received it for free in Christ, we are to reflect the light of life to the world. Paul was a persecutor of the church before he got converted. He used to be in the darkness. But after he saw the resurrected Jesus appeared in the heavenly light, he became blind for three days. Though he couldn’t see with his eyes, he was able to see the world of God with his eyes of faith. Then, he was called to shine the light to the Gentile world. In Acts 26:17-18, Paul shared his testimony with King Aggripa, saying, 이스라엘과 이방인들에게서 내가 너를 구원하여 저희에게 보내어 ¹⁸ 그 눈을 뜨게 하여 어두움에서 빛으로, 사단의 권세에서 하나님께로 돌아가게 하고 죄 사함과 나를 믿어 거룩케 된 무리 가운데서 기업을 얻게 하리라 하더이다. “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” The first function of the light to the world is to lead people from darkness to light. We should be ready to do all to bring them out of darkness to the light of life. We should share the light of God’s life with others who are under darkness. We should let them receive forgiveness of sins and adoption of sons among God’s family.

To be the light of the world surrounds life with the most stupendous responsibilities and  the most solemn dignity. Even though we may not occupy positions of importance in society, yet we are the light of the world wandering people in the ocean should watch to be rescued. If we burn dimly, dim is the world’s light, and dense its darkness. How wretched is a city at night if the lamps are unlit! How cheerless is a room when the candle is blown out! What would earth be without the sun? Shall the world be left in darkness through our idleness? We should shine forth the light of Jesus Christ throughout the world, so that even a single soul might find the light of life through our faithful testimony and Christ-like character. We cannot but to speak forth the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have believed in God, and therefore speak. We have felt the healing power of the gospel, and therefore we proclaim it. It is the great object of our lives to make known the gospel of Christ in every place, holding forth the word of God. In this way we become instruments of comfort, for as light chases away gloom, and it is a pleasant thing to behold the sun, so are believers the gladdeners of the world. Christ’s disciples are sons of consolation, lamps which cheer the night. Their light is a guiding light that leads wanderers to the place of rest, and a saving light, for it manifests Jesus to sinners.

Second, we are to engage in an enlightening work. 

Darkness symbolizes ignorance. In contrast, light is a symbol of knowledge. In the 18^th century, the Enlightenment movement put the human reason above the authority of God’s word. Since then, we have believed that we are truly enlightened through science and education, freed from the shackles of darkness. Having abandoned the light of God’s word, people have imprisoned themselves with the pride of reason. Now, they have lost the knowledge of God, the true Source of meaning and happiness. They don’t know such fundamental issues as where they are from, why they are here, and where they are going. Only God’s people, the light to the world, give them the right answers to these questions. The meaning, purpose, direction, salvation, destiny of life, and life after death, all these issues are critical to our human existence. Who can give the light to those who are wondering over these questions? It is we who hold the light of knowledge that can enlighten the ignorant world. The apostle Peter tells us that we should pay attention to what the Bible teaches us, saying, 또 우리에게 더 확실한 예언이 있어 어두운데 비취는 등불과 같으니 날이 새어 샛별이 너희 마음에 떠오르기까지 너희가 이것을 주의하는 것이 가하니라. “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1 Pet. 1:19). We have God’s Book in which we have the light of knowledge about meaning of life, happiness in life, our identity, our duties, and our destiny. To those who ask us about this light, we should be ready to give them the right answer.

Let me share a story about people in despair finding the light of salvation. 조국을 등졌다. 가족들과도 생이별했다. 외국생활인지라 녹록치 않았다. 절망과 그리움에 몸부림쳤다. 그때 복음은 한줄기 빛이자 희망의 끈이었다. 1989년 6·4 천안문 민주화 운동에 앞장섰던 학생 지도자들의 이야기다. 시위주동자로 지명수배됐던 이들이 고통을 딛고 속속 크리스천이 되고 있다. 부흥사, 이라크전 참전 군목 등 목회자가 되는가 하면 개인 기업과 NGO 등을 일구며 빛과 소금의 역할을 하고 있다. 이들은 한결같이 “기독교 신앙만이 개인 인생뿐 아니라 자유 민주주의를 추구하는 종착점”이라고 강조한다. 89년 지명수배자가 된 21명 학생 지도자 중 4명이 목회자 또는 평신도 지도자가 됐다. 민주화 운동 당시 ‘중국의 잔다르크’로 불린 차이링(柴玲)은 중국정부의 학생 지명수배자 21명 명단 중 세 번째에 올라있었다. 그는 10개월간 도피생활 중 숱한 체포 위기를 넘긴 뒤 배에 실린 나무궤짝에 들어가 5일간 몸을 숨겨 90년 부활절 전야 홍콩으로 탈주한 데 성공했다. 이어 프랑스 파리를 거쳐 미국으로 갔다. 차이링은 그때 심정을 “어릴 적 느꼈던 공포와 고독 그 자체였다”고 술회했다. 베이징대 캠퍼스 커플이자 민주화 운동 동지였던 펑충더와도 망명 후 헤어졌다. 설상가상 사랑하는 어머니와 할머니가 연이어 세상을 떠났지만 마지막을 지켜볼 수 없었다. 심적 고통 속에 죽음까지도 생각했었다. 그때 미국 화교교회는 그의 버팀목이 됐다고 한다. 프린스턴대 국제 관계학 석사와 하버드대 경영학석사 학위를 마친 그는 미국회사에서 일하던 중 미국 기독교인 로버트 A 매긴 주니어를 만나 결혼, 현재 세 아이의 어머니이자 인터넷교육업체 CEO로 활동하고 있다. 어느 부활절(4월 4일) 미국 보스턴의 한 교회에서 세례를 받고 공개적으로 신앙을 고백하는 기독교인이 됐다. 차이링은 “대학재학 중 한 선배로부터 촌부가 전해준 성경과 예수 그리스도 이야기를 듣고 깊은 감동을 받은 적이 있었다”며 “훗날 기독교 신앙이 나의 삶을 사로잡을 줄 몰랐다”고 했다. 이어 “예수님은 나의 마음속 상처를 씻어주셨고 난 오랫동안 갈망했던 평정을 찾았다”며 “특히 목사님이 날 위해 성부, 성자, 성령의 이름으로 세례를 베풀 때 하나님의 영이 내 맘에 충만해진 걸 느꼈다”고 간증했다. 그는 NGO ‘모든 소녀를 허용하라(All Girls Allowed, AGA)’ 등을 설립, 중국의 가난한 이들을 돕는가 하면 여아낙태 반대운동에 앞장서고 있다. We can find people who experienced the dramatic transfer from darkness to light. Out of student activists who led the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests, some became evangelists and Christian leaders. They had to leave their own country, separated from their families. It was hard for them to live as foreigners. They struggled in despair and nostalgia. At that time, the gospel of Jesus Christ was a ray of hope to them. The leaders of the demonstration, who were on the list of the wanted, stood on the scaffold of suffering and got converted into Christianity. Some became evangelists, chaplains, NGO leaders, playing the role of salt and light of the world. All of them emphasize their conviction with one accord, stating, “Christian faith alone is to be the final destination of both each individual and free democracy. Out of 21 on the list, four became Christian leaders. Chi-Ling, known as the Chinese “The Joan of Arc,” was on the third in the list of the wanted. She was on the run for ten months. She was able to escape from China, reaching Hong Kong one day before the Easter in 1990. She came to America via France. She recalled her flight, saying, “It was terror and loneliness of my youth.” She couldn’t see the last moments of her mother and grandmother. In extreme agony, she thought of suicide. She received a great support from her Chinese church. She earned a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Princeton University and another master’s degree in M.B.A from Harvard. After graduation, she got married with an American Christian man Robert Magin Jr. Now, she is the mother of three children. She is the CEO of Internet Education Firm. On one Easter day, she publicly professed her faith at her baptism. In her testimony, Chi-Ling said, “I was greatly moved with the story of Jesus when I heard it from one of my university seniors. I didn’t know that Christian faith would grip my heart later. Jesus cleansed the hurts in my heart and gave me the long-awaited peace. I felt the filling of the Spirit when the pastor baptized me in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” She founded “All Girls Allowed, AGA.” She is helping the poor in China and leads an opposition group against young girls’ abortion. She is an example of people who received the light of the gospel and shines the light of the gospel to the people who need it.                   

We are to be visible through our status and deeds, engaging actively in the enlivening and enlightening work of light in the world. Then, the question is why we are doing all this. The final point gives answer to this. That is…

IV. 참된 제자는모든 것을 하나님의 영광을 위하여 한다.

 True disciples do all for the glory of God.

In v. 16, Jesus tells us that unbelievers will see our good works and come to glorify our Father in heaven. It seems that “good works” is a general expression to cover everything a Christian says and does because he is a Christian, every outward and visible manifestation of his Christian faith. Also, we can say “good works” are works of love as well as of faith. They express not only our loyalty to God, but also our care for our fellows. Indeed, the primary meaning of “works” must be practical, visible deeds of compassion. It is when people see these, Jesus said, that they will glorify God, for they embody the good news of His love which we proclaim. Without them our gospel loses its credibility and our God his honor.

If we behave like our Father in the world, then people of the world will see God through our good works, then develop interest in Him, and ultimately come to know Him and glorify Him. This is the purpose of our good deeds. Again, our good works are visible to God and others except ourselves. In other words, we do good deeds not to draw attention to ourselves but to God. In 1 Cor. 10: 31, Paul says, 그런즉 너희가 먹든지 마시든지 무엇을 하든지 다 하나님의 영광을 위하여 하라. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” The twofold purpose of our good deeds, symbolized in the light metaphor, is evangelism and God’s glory.       

The first purpose of good works is to win souls. 

We preach the gospel to a lost world both in words and in deeds. Our character is a message preached in deeds. We exist here to proclaim the praise of God. The apostle Peter says, 오직 너희는 택하신 족속이요 왕 같은 제사장들이요 거룩한 나라요 그의 소유된 백성이니 이는 너희를 어두운 데서 불러 내어 그의 기이한 빛에 들어가게 하신 자의 아름다운 덕을 선전하게 하려 하심이라. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9). For the truth of the gospel is the light, contained indeed in fragile earthenware lamps, yet shining through our very earthiness with the more conspicuous brightness. We are called both to spread the gospel and to frame our manner of life in a way that is worthy of the gospel.

Once again, how do we shine our light? It is by doing others good. The best message we can preach is the best act we make to others. We ourselves are God’s message. So, we should be careful what we say and do lest the world be drawn away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Christian influence to the world depends on our Christian character, delineated in the beatitudes. We preach the gospel of love in action when we are under persecution. We preach the gospel of humility in action when the world tempts us with pride. We preach the gospel of mercy in action when the world treats us without mercy. We preach the gospel of peace in action when the world tries to break peace with us. 

Second, the ultimate purpose of our good works is to glorify God.

The reason that God saves us is that we glorify and enjoy Him forever. The ultimate purpose for which we are chosen, predestinated, forgiven, redeemed, adopted into God’s family, and given the inheritance in heaven is to praise God and glorify Him in Christ. Paul says, 이는 우리의 기업에 보증이 되사 그 얻으신 것을 구속하시고 그의 영광을 찬미하게 하려 하심이라. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Eph. 1:14). We are to do all for the glory of God. Whatever we do, we are to have the glory of God in mind. Peter says, 만일 누가 말하려면 하나님의 말씀을 하는것 같이 하고 누가 봉사하려면 하나님의 공급하시는 힘으로 하는것 같이 하라 이는 범사에 예수 그리스도로 말미암아 하나님이 영광을 받으시게 하려 함이니 그에게 영광과 권능이 세세에 무궁토록 있느니라 아멘. 너희가 이방인 중에서 행실을 선하게 가져 너희를 악행한다고 비방하는 자들로 하여금 너희 선한 일을 보고 권고하시는 날에 하나님께 영광을 돌리게 하려 함이라. whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Pet. 4:11-12).

This light will issue in good works that are seen by people, a provision that must be understood carefully, for there were people like the Pharisees who made sure that their good deeds were seen by others and it is not this Pharisaic attitude that Jesus is commending. The good works are to be seen, not in order that the doers may be congratulated as fine, upstanding servants of God, but in such a way that the observers will give glory to your Father. There is to be no parade of virtue, no attempt to win praise for oneself. It is the light that is to shine, not those privileged to be the bearers of the light. People will always see the deeds that disciples do, and disciples are to make sure that when that takes place it is the light that they will see. And they will see it in such a way that they will praise God.

The ultimate purpose of all is indeed to glorify God. When they evaluate us, unbelievers take into account the fact that we are Christians. They usually have a high expectation of our moral character. They believe, like we do, that there should an inseparable connection between our faith and God. When we truly reflect God’s moral goodness and righteousness, they are likely to believe God is alive. But when they see nothing but injustice, immorality, selfishness, greed, or divisions, then they have no reason to believe the existence of God. No matter what we preach, they wouldn’t believe in God if we show them nothing but man’s moral depravity.

Whether we preach in words or in deeds, therefore, we must keep in mind the glory of God.  Justin Martyr described the Christian of his day as follows: 우리는 서로를 미워하며 파괴하고 다른 관습을 가진 무리들과 더불어 살려하지 않았었다. 그러나 이제 우리는 그들과 친밀히 살아가고 원수들을 위하여 기도하며 우리를 부당하게 미워하는 자들을 설득하여 그리스도의 선한 명령을 따라 살아가게 하여 종국에는 모든 것의 주권자이신 하나님의 상주심에 대한 이 동일하고 즐거운 소망에 참여토록 만든다. “We who hated and destroyed one another, and on account of their different manners would not live with men of a different tribe, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavor to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good precepts of Christ, to the end that they may become partakers of the same joyful hope of a reward from God, the ruler of all.”

Let’s keep in mind we are the light of the world. So, we should behave in a way that unbelievers would recognize God working in our lives and acknowledge God’s existence. We should speak in a way that unbelievers would acknowledge the veracity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, so that others see God in us through His Spirit. Ultimately, we should lead people to believe and glorify God. Not only do we glorify God, but also we should make people glorify God. The glory of God is our supreme desire and pursuit. All of our character and influence should end up in God’s glory. We should do all in the power of God for His glory. Soli Deo Gloria.

Conclusion: John Stott said, 소금과 빛은 공통점이 한 가지 있다. 자신들을 주고 소모한다는 점이다. 이러한 점은 어떤 부류이든 자기 중심적 종교심과는 정반대이다. “Salt and light have one thing in common: they give and expend themselves—and thus are the opposite of any and every kind of self-centered religiosity.” I found a touching story that illustrates the virtue of self-sacrifice. Kevin McKay had a new nickname “the bus driver from heaven” for his bravery and heroic act. He drove the school bus along gridlocked, dark roads as pockets of fire burned all around. Nearly two dozen elementary school children were on board with him. Smoke began to fill the bus, so McKay took off a shirt. He and two teachers on the bus tore it into pieces and doused them with water. The children held the damp pieces of cloth to their mouths and breathed through them. He had been on the job, driving the bus for Ponderosa Elementary School in the northern California city of Paradise, only for a few months. Now, McKay was ferrying the 22 stranded children to safety as the Camp Fire scorched everything in its path. It would take five hours for them to reach safety. Abbie Davis, a 29-year-old kindergarten teacher at Ponderosa, and Mary Ludwig, 50, who teaches second grade, evacuated with McKay and the students. Ludwig recalled the "the sky was really menacing." "It was very scary. It felt like Armageddon." "It just kind of looked like we'd be headed into Mordor," McKay recalled. As McKay drove away from the school on roads thick with smoke, the bus became stuck in the gridlock of vehicles trying to leave Paradise. Should they abandon the bus, they wondered? As the smoke intensified, young lungs filled up. One student complained of being tired. Davis saw other kids dozing off. The adults had to improvise. There was only one water bottle on the bus. McKay took off his shirt. They tore it up and doused the strips of cloth with water, so the students could use them to breathe properly, they recalled. "That seemed to help," McKay said. During the journey, McKay and the teachers also created their own emergency plan: Pair little kids with the big kids. Take roll. Get phone numbers. Review how to operate the emergency exits, first aid kit and the fire extinguisher. McKay said: "That's when we realized -- it's a silly statement, but Paradise is lost." Along the way, they picked up a passenger. She was a preschool teacher from an elementary school in the nearby city of Biggs whose car had broken down. Davis said she thought she was going to die several times along the journey. At one point, they prayed, Ludwig said. Hours later, parents and children were reunited. Recounting their escape, McKay was modest. “Safety is an important part of a bus driver's role,” he said. But Davis and Ludwig said McKay was a true hero. "We had the bus driver from heaven," Ludwig said. They were saved from the raging fires by that courageous, sacrificial bus driver.

Likewise, we are saved from the fiery condemnation of eternal punishment through the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for the remission of our sin. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Friend, and Lord who did everything to deliver us from the fiery hell and installed us to be His representatives to the world to talk about His love and grace. Now, we are the light of the world, reflecting the light of Jesus Christ to the world, so that the world may come to know God as its Savior and Lord. When we were saved, we were lit up by Christ, so that others could see our “lights.” We are fundamentally different from people of the world. We, we alone, are the light of the world, says Jesus. We are “little Jesuses” visible to the world, not only exposing the darkness of the world, but also reflecting the light of life and knowledge to the world. We do it all for the glory of God, intending to win as many souls as possible to the Lord Jesus. Let’s listen to the words of the apostle John: 다시 밤이 없겠고 등불과 햇빛이 쓸데 없으니 이는 주 하나님이 저희에게 비취심이라 저희가 세세토록 왕노릇하리로다. “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). Let’s keep in mind that we are the privileged light of God to the world. Let’s make the world brightened with the light of Jesus Christ, so that the world may glorify our heavenly Father.  

Benediction: 하나님은 복되시고 홀로 한 분이신 능하신 자이며 만왕의 왕이시며 만주의 주시요 ¹⁶ 오직 그에게만 죽지 아니함이 있고 가까이 가지 못할 빛에 거하시고 아무 사람도 보지 못하였고 또 볼 수 없는 자시니 그에게 존귀와 영원한 능력을 돌릴찌어다 아멘. God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:15-16)