Pick Up Your Light Ye Heroes of the Last Days
A lie is spreading throughout the Christian world that says ordinary believers cannot do extraordinary things.
Many Christians admire Moses, David, Elijah, Peter, and Paul, yet assume these men were somehow different from themselves. But Jesus Christ taught the opposite.
The purpose of the Gospel is not merely to admire what God has done through others. The purpose of the Gospel is to transform ordinary men and women into sons and daughters of God who continue His work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is looking for people willing to stand up, receive His power, and become floodlights in a dark world.
Greater Works Than These
Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus made one of the most astonishing promises ever recorded:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)
Think about what Jesus is saying.
The Savior healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead, fed thousands, and taught with divine authority. Yet He declared that those who truly believe in Him would continue His work and accomplish even greater things through the power of God.
Christ did not intend His followers to remain spiritual infants. He intended them to mature into disciples capable of carrying His message of salvation to the nations.
The question is whether we are willing to take Him at His word and obey.
You Are the Light of the World
Many Christians spend their lives waiting for someone else to step forward.
They wait for a pastor, a politician, a celebrity, or a movement.
Meanwhile, Jesus points directly at His disciples and says:
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:14)
Christ does not reserve this calling for church leaders or some future day. He says plainly, "Ye are the light of the world."
The world needs fathers who lead their families in righteousness. It needs mothers who teach their children to seek and hear God. It needs young people who refuse to bow to wickedness. It needs Christians willing to proclaim the Gospel regardless of opposition.
Christ continued:
"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)
The Lord never intended our faith to remain hidden. Only the light of Jesus Christ has the power to transform this fallen world, but it is up to us to carry that light into it.
A light fulfills its purpose only when it is lifted high enough for others to see.
The Salt of the Earth
Jesus also taught:
"Ye are the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13)
Salt preserves. Salt protects. Salt adds flavor.
Throughout history, Christians have served as a preserving influence upon nations. Where the Gospel flourishes, families strengthen, freedom expands, charity grows, and civilization prospers.
But Christ warned that salt can lose its savor when it becomes diluted.
A man who professes Christianity but hides his faith, fears the opinions of men, and refuses to defend truth cannot fulfill his divine purpose.
The world does not need less Christianity. It needs pure Christianity.
Power to Become the Sons of God
Many who profess Christianity understand that Christ offers forgiveness but have little understanding of why Jesus Christ chose to be crucified to secured the ability to forgive you.
Christ performed the Atonement so that we could learn that wickedness is not happiness, repent of our sins, and be transformed through obedience to the word of God.
Jesus Christ died for you so that you could become a powerful, obedient son or daughter of God.
John taught:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." (John 1:12)
Christ did not come merely to pardon sinners. He came to transform them through obedience to His word. He came to give them power to become something greater than they currently are.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14)
And again:
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." (Romans 8:16)
The Christian journey is not simply about avoiding hell. It is about becoming like Christ.
John declared:
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God... when he shall appear, we shall be like him." (1 John 3:2)
The destiny of God's faithful children is to become like their King.
What greater calling could there be?
Power From Heaven
Many Christians desire the blessings of God while neglecting the conditions attached to them.
Christ said:
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
Obedience comes first.
As we obey God, He asks us to sacrifice more of our own will and trust Him more completely. That sacrifice deepens our obedience, and greater obedience opens the door to greater spiritual power.
After Christ rose from the dead, He told His faithful apostles:
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." (Acts 1:8)
When we submit ourselves to the Lord, the Holy Ghost speaks through us and we become vessels through whom Christ bears witness to the hearts of people.
The scriptures reveal a direct connection between obedience and heavenly power:
"The Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Acts 5:32)
The pattern is clear.
To the extent we learn to obey and live by every word spoken by the mouth of God, we will be given the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will of God.
Pick Up Your Light
God did not give Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Esther, Peter, Paul, and countless others the same missions, talents, or abilities, yet each of them illuminated the love Jesus Christ has for His children in a different way.
We live in 2026. Twenty-six years since the turn of the millennia. The world is entering a new chapter of history. Darkness is increasing and so must the light. There is a great need for heroes.
The same God who strengthened the leaders of the past is looking for obedient servants today. We have been called. We've been called many times throughout our lives, but have allowed fear and the cares of this world to blur our vision of whats most important.
Jesus can give us strength to be obedient. He can give us courage to pick up our light, our testimony of Jesus, and hold it up for the world to see. Jesus will give each of us power when we return to him in obedience.
It's time to pour our hearts out to God in faith and allow Jesus to change us. As we pick up our light and march into this dark world that needs saving, the power of the Holy Spirit will be our sword and shield. We are the heroes this world needs. Let's Be Christians!