THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

   Jesus Christ has had more impact on human history than any person in the history of the universe.   
   From the moment Christ was born in Bethlehem, the world began to change; for even as young as two years of age, people sought to kill Him.
   Jesus Christ has been, and is, loved by more people than any person has been loved in the history of the universe.  Jesus is therefore loved more than any world leader in all of history.
   Christ has brought salvation to millions of people, and, in so doing, these believers of Christ have lived better lives than people who have lived without Him.  We have peace that the world does not know; and we have the assurance that we know will go to heaven when we die.  We have more joy, more happiness, and better health because of our faith in Him and in Him alone.
   That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2: 10,11).
   At the same time, Jesus Christ has been, and is, hated by more people than any person has been hated in the history of the universe. 
   How can these things be?  How can so many people love the Lord and yet so many hate Him?  For people do not love and hate emperors, popes, preachers, presidents, kings and queens, but people either love Jesus or they hate him; and there are people with more hatred for Jesus than for Adolph Hitler.
   Jesus is the Light of the world and His Light shines in darkness and exposes the sins of people:  this is why people hate Him.  Emperors, popes, preachers, presidents, kings and queens do not have a light that shines in darkness that exposes the sins of people.
   For the past 2012 years, the name of Jesus has offended people.  For even at the mention of His name, His Light shines in the darkness of individuals and exposes them as sinners, which causes them great discomfort and even anger; and out of their pride, they curse the name of Jesus.
   Did you know there are people in churches today that are offended at the name of Jesus?  They say they are Christians, yet they do not like discussions that center on the Son of God.  What are they saying about themselves?  Their words and their actions speak for their hearts; for if they knew Christ as their Saviour, they would not be offended, would they?  So then their own words and actions is a judgment against themselves.
   Jesus said, Think not that I have come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.  He that findeth his life shall lose it:  and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (Matthew 10: 34-40).
   So then, do you know why people do not like Christ?  And do you understand why there is so much evil in this world?  It is because people have rejected the Light of Christ.  And without the Light of Christ in this world, darkness falls:  as darkness has fallen and as more darkness continues to fall.  
   Because nations have rejected Christ, those nations have become lands of darkness and evil.  And if people of the United States do not turn back to God, this nation also will become a nation of darkness and consumed by evil:  and life expectancy will begin a rapid decline just as it has happened in other nations.  Diseases will arise and destroy children quickly, just as it is happening now in other nations.