THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com 

 THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT

Devotional Text: Matt. 5:16

Introduction:

The believer’s Moral Light is the good conduct of his life, which radiates in society, to the admiration of others and to the glory of God. In the words of Ben Onyeukwu, genuine Christians bear the light of good works. This is because they are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for such works, (Eph. 2:10). He further notes that, as light bearers, Christians should lead the way in every facet of human enterprise or endeavour, which implies that Christians should radiate God’s moral light in whatever they do.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The believer’s moral light is the life of Christ he radiates in society, (Acts 11:26).

(2)     The believer’s moral light is also the good life he lives by the grace of God, (Gal. 2:20-21).

(3)     The believer’s moral light is equally the godly sincerity he demonstrates on earth, (2 Cor 1:12).

(4)     The believer’s moral light is his righteousness based on the knowledge of God (I Cor. 15:54).

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT AT HOME AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

First and foremost, the believer should always let his moral light radiate at home, in keeping with the family rules. In this connection, if the believer is a father, he should not provoke his children to wrath, but should bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord, (Eph. 6:4). If he is a child, he should learn to obey and respect his parents, (vs. 1-2). If he is a husband, he should love his wife, as Christ loves the church, (Eph. 5:25). If she is a wife, she should always submit herself to her own husband, (vs. 22). If he is a servant, he should be obedient to his master, as well as serve in sincerity, Eph. 6:5-6, and if he is a master, he should be fair to all, (vs. 9).

Equally, the believer should shine as light in the neighbourhood. To this end, he should love his neighbours as himself. He should not seek revenge or bear grudges against them when they wrong him or plot their downfall, but should love them (Lev. 19:18), as well as pray and do well to them even when they persecute him, (Matt. 5:43-45). In keeping with the above, the believer should, therefore, beam his moral light at home and neighbourhood for people to see;

(i)                   his good works and give God the glory, (Matt. 5:16);

(ii)                 him as a living Gospel Epistle, read by all men, (2 Cor. 3:2-3);

(iii)                him as an example of the believers (I Tim. 4:12)

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY

                        As already cited in previous sub-section of this lesson, the believer should always beam his moral light, by becoming an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity (I Tim 4:12), not only at home and neighbourhood, but also in church and the wider society. To this end, he should not allow corrupt word(s) proceed out of his mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it should impart grace to the hearers, (Eph. 4:29). He should equally be holy in all manner of conversation (I Peter 1:15), as well as be a person of charity, which people testify of (3 John 1:5-6).

Furthermore, the moral light of the believer should always stir him to walk in the spirit, with no desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh, (Gal. 5:16). As a just person, so as not to draw back from his good work for the Lord (Heb. 10:38), as well as maintain a life of purity, (I Tim. 5:1-2). By this, therefore, the believer should be:

(i)                   an example of believers in church and society, (I Tim. 4:12);

(ii)                 holy in all manner of conversation, (I Peter 1:15);

(iii)                a person that demonstrates his charity in church and society, (3 John 1:5-6).

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT IN SERVICE AND BUSINESS

The believer, as well, should beam his moral light in his service to God and humanity. If he is in public or private service, he should, like Daniel of the old, not be found corrupt or wanting, (Dan. 6:4-5). If he is in his personal business, he should learn to do it as commanded in the Word of God, (I Thess. 4:11-12). The above biblical assertion opens up the fact that most believers in both civil and public services, as well as those in business, do not beam moral light in their places of work or business, as they are often found culpable of crimes and corruption in their given assignments or work. But, this ought not to be so, as the believer in civil or public service/business should:

(i)                   shine as light in service, work or business, which people should observe and give God the glory, (Matt. 5:16);

(ii)                 shun any form of graft, but be contented with his wage, (Luke 3:14)

(iii)                demonstrate sincerity in business, work or business, in order not to allow the Name of the Lord be blasphemed among the Gentiles (Rom. 2:21024).

In conclusion, let the believer be reminded that he is the light of the world, and so, without fail, should manifest his moral light at home, neighbourhood, church, society, service and business, to the glory of God, (Matt. 5:14-16). PLEASE, SHINE!