The Torch Bearers for God

The Olympic flame was a symbol of the Olympic games in ancient Greece, a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Games.

The Greeks believed the games had their roots in religion, that athletic competition was tied to worship of gods. The ancient Games were intended to bring peace, harmony, and a return to origins of Greek life.

Over these past months here in the U.K we have had the privilege of been able to be a part of the torch relay, with many ordinarily men and women being able to participate in the carrying of the torch.

The Olympic torch is of modern times, introduced for the Berlin Games. Carl Dien who was the German Sports Administrator, created the tradition of the Olympic torch relay. Unfortunately the Games were marred by political government ideals

Torch Bearers

In the Bible in Matthew Ch. 5:16 The Christian Pilgrim likewise is encouraged to be a torch bearer, to be “the light of the world”, “to walk as children of light”.

As the Olympic flame identifies with the ideal of the Games, so also the Pilgrim Christian is encouraged to so live in the “Light of the Gospel message”

John the Baptist came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (Gospel John Ch.1:7-8)

We are encouraged to

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven”.(Matt 5:16)

Since God is Light (1John 1:5) Family resemblance necessitates that we imitate our Father in a worthy walk “In the light” as “children of the light”. We are to separate ourselves from the fruitless works of darkness, living wisely and exemplarily, taking every opportunity to do well (Col.4:5)

The works of darkness is characterised by greed, by evil, by the pursuit of power, by killing and the total abandonment and sanctity of life. Killing in some quarters is foolishly seen as doing God’s work.

It is from this darkness, the Christian Pilgrim is called to be “light” in the darkness of this evil world system. He does not do so to earn God’s favour, or to earn merit, or gain entrance to heaven (paradise), but because he is a child of God.

The characteristics of the child of God

That he is of the “true Light which has come into the world” the Light of Christ dwelling in him” and radiating out in to a world in spiritual darkness.

“I am the Light of the world, he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12)

He is the illuminating light which leads to “new life”; a “New beginning” lived out in Christ. He is the gateway to Spiritual freedom; whoever is enslaved by sin is not free but is under bondage.

The Pilgrim Christian is also called to be the “salt of the earth” (Matt.5:13). The primary function of “salt” in Bible times was “it was used as “an aseptic” to prevent the process of decay and putrefaction in meats and foodstuffs.

The conclusion therefore, is that the world in we are called to be lights is in the grip of moral and spiritual decay, and that decay is seen all around us. But the master says, “You are my people who are called by my name, you whom I have redeemed. You are the salt of the earth.

You are in this world as a moral and spiritual aseptic; you are to now quite different from this world.

You are my people I have called you out of the world, now you are entirely different, you process a different lifestyle.

What the Lord is telling us in these verses in Matthew is, that by the grace of God, that the renewed life of the Christian is capable of stopping the impetus of iniquity. That your life is a triumphant life, a victorious life, and a life of true glorious God given victory.

We are called to be the “Moral and Spiritual aseptic of society” in the midst of a most wicked environment.

For further study Read Sermon on the Mount Matthew Ch.5-7