New Men and a New World

GOLDEN TEXT: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16

MATTHEW 5:13-16; II CORINTHIANS 5:17-19; JAMES 2:14-18

THE caption for this lesson might better have read, “New Men in the Old World,” for all the scriptures cited apply to Christians of this age who lave been called to keep themselves separate from the world while they lay down their lives in God’s service. Nominal churchianity mistakenly supposes that the influence of these will gradually and ultimately bring about the new world of the prophecies. But this is not God’s plan. Not until these “new men” have all laid down their lives in sacrifice, and in the “first resurrection” have been exalted to live and reign with Christ a thousand years, will they actually participate in the establishment of the new world “wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

When Jesus was on earth he said that he was the “Light of the world,” but in our lesson he tells his followers that they were to occupy this position, meaning that that they would be his “ambassadors.” The true disciples of Christ throughout the age have been the only source of light.

Jesus speaks of their shining as candles, but there hasn’t been a sufficient number of these candles to dispel the darkness and light up the whole world. The position of the church as light-bearers in the world has been likened to a lighthouse located on a rocky island in the ocean. It is not expected to light up the whole ocean, nevertheless, it serves as a beacon light to those who look for it.

We are also declared by Jesus to be the “salt of the earth.” Salt is a preservative, and while Christians have been comparatively few in number in the world, their influence for righteousness doubtless has helped to prevent a more rapid deterioration of the social fabric than what would have occurred without them throughout the centuries. But there has not been sufficient “salt” to prevent decay altogether, which is the reason that in the “last days,” as prophesied by Paul, men are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”—II Tim. 3:4

The influence of true Christianity in the earth has been largely neutralized by the admixture of “tares” among the “wheat,” as shown in the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. But this does not mean that God’s design for the church is defeated. Jesus explained that at the end of the age the “tares” would be separated from the “wheat,” and that then the “wheat,” the “children of the kingdom,” would “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”—Matt. 13:43

This contrasts beautifully and encouragingly with the candle light effectiveness of the church’s witness during the present age. In the kingdom, Jesus will be the “Sun of Righteousness,” and his faithful disciples of this age will be with him, shining forth as the sun. It will be then that the knowledge of the glory of God will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.

In II Corinthians 5:17-19 Paul describes the true disciples of Christ as “new creatures.” This is because they are “in Christ,” that is, members of his mystical body. This new creature is as yet only in its begotten stage, but is being nourished by the Word of God and thus made ready for birth.

During this development stage we are given a commission, which is to serve as ambassadors for Christ. Paul explains that God was in Christ “reconciling the world unto himself.” This is the great purpose of God which is centered in Christ. As ambassadors for Christ this same purpose is being carried out through us.

This work is on a very small scale during the present age, and effective only on behalf of those whom God is drawing to Christ in order to give them the opportunity of suffering and dying with him that they might live and reign with him. Nevertheless, it is by faithfulness to our present responsibilities along this line that we prove worthy of participating in the future work of reconciliation.

This is very much in line with James’ lesson in which he reminds us that faith without works is dead. Anyone who grasps the great plan of God pertaining to the future work of reconciliation and restitution can’t help but rejoice therein, and even long for that time to come. If we hope to participate with Christ in that future work of blessing, our anticipation is even more keen. But if we really have faith in that future glorious prospect of enlightening and blessing the world, we will demonstrate that faith by present zeal and effort in proclaiming the “Word of reconciliation.”

Thus seen, every passage in the lesson emphasizes the importance of Christian faithfulness as ambassadors of Christ. We are to let our light shine. If we hide it under a “bushel” it will go out. As the “salt of the earth” we are to exert a righteous influence in the midst of all with whom we are surrounded. We are faithfully to proclaim the “word of reconciliation.”

QUESTIONS

Does the caption of the lesson properly express the thought of the Scripture passages cited?

When will the “new men” of the lesson actually participate in establishing a new world?

Is it God’s plan for the church during this age to enlighten the whole world?

What is implied by our being “the salt of the earth”?

What is a “new creature,” and what work is assigned to such?

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