Shining Light into a Dark World
Posted by Orrin Woodward on September 21, 2016
Historically, Christians have been the “Salt and Light” within society, tempering the process of decay (salt), while renewing the world with the gospel of Christ (Light). Over the last fifty years, however, a radical change has occurred. Christians today, instead of living “Salt and Light,” practice a peculiar “halt and hide” methodology. Fearful of standing out from the crowd, desiring instead to “fit in” with non-believers, Christians “halt” any efforts to share truth to a lost world, hiding their light as if ashamed. Dismally, rather than seeking to make a difference in the world by being different than the world, most Christians today outdo one other in silly attempts to be relevant to a world rotting away in darkness.
I know this sounds strong, but this isn’t just my opinion. The data backs up the bold statements and then some. According to the United States Census Bureau Records and various denominational reports:
1. Every year more than 4000 churches close their doors compared to just over 1000 new church starts.
2. Every year, 2.7 million church members fall into inactivity.
3. From 1990 to 2000, the combined membership of all Protestant denominations in the USA declined by almost 5 million members (9.5 percent), while the US population increased by 24 million (11 percent).
4. At the start of the twentieth century (1900), there was a ratio of 27 churches per 10,000 people, as compared to the close of this century (2000) where we have 11 churches per 10,000 people in America.
5. Given the declining numbers and closures of Churches as compared to new church starts, there should have been over 38,000 new churches commissioned to keep up with the population growth.
6. The United States now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever increasing “un-reached people group.”
7. And the worst one of all, half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years.
If over half of existing churches in the USA have not brought one new member into its congregation in over two years, then “Houston” we have a problem. Without being “Salt and Light” in the world, the Church, simply stated, is not relevant. The Church is supposed to be a rescue mission where saved “ruined sinners” go into the dark world and reflect the Light of Christ onto others’ lives so they can be transformed by the Light. Christians are to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Instead most are hiding out in Christian ghettos, sniping at each other and anyone who dares to leave the ghetto behind to fulfill our calling. Imagine how much better our world would be if Christians shined more Light and shot less messengers!?! Having mentored fifty plus pastors over the years, I know the challenges they face first-hand and respect greatly those who seek to confront them Biblically. Still, Christianity is about service to God and others; thus, any church that cannot grow one member in two years has, to put it bluntly, descended into darkness. How is it possible for a team of rescue workers to not rescue even one new person in over two years time in the locality they allegedly serve? Furthermore, how can even one church be that ineffective, let alone over half of them? A shameful lack of Christ-centered leadership is the only possible answer.
Be the “Salt and Light” of the world
While I realize the God is sovereign and “works on whom he will” perhaps Christians can begin to work as God’s servants as we are commanded, shining Light rather than cursing darkness. This reminds me of the statement I read daily for years, “Work as if everything depended upon you and pray as if everything depended upon God.” Christians, after all, are God’s hands and feet on earth and its time to get the feet and hands into action by reflecting Light into the darkness. To be sure, the best way for a person to start the process is to model before he messages. The world is filled with people whose message is better than the model, but Christians, while not perfect, should seek to model the love and grace of Christ through their actions. A word of caution here: although the church is woefully ineffective today, if a Christian actually seeks to live Biblical principles, he must be prepared to be shot at, shot at not only by non-believers, but also, depressingly, by hypocritical “halt and hide” Christians. Just as Christ had unjust mud slung at him by non-believers and the religious establishment of his day, so too, not surprisingly, will today’s Light-shining Christians receive unjust abuse from vitriolic unbelievers and the lukewarm religious establishment. For when a person is in darkness, any person who dares to shine Light will either draw him out of the darkness or arouse him to destroy the Light. Of course, since throwing mud on others is more comfortable than seeing the dirt within, hypocrites always end up throwing mud. Nonetheless, shine your received Light anyway because Christians would rather be criticized by man than disapproved by God.
Personally, I will turn fifty years old next year and I thank God for his many blessings in my life. I no longer am driven to build communities for personal success of financial reasons, but I have a bigger dream than ever before from a spiritual yearning. Through studying the Bible, I realize God has prepared footsteps for me and I intend to walk in them. Regardless of how many Christians have chosen to “halt and hide,” I am on a mission to find the remaining few who will fulfill The Great Commission, becoming the “Salt and Light” to a lost world groping in darkness. Indeed, the darker the world becomes, the more Light impacts those it reaches. For example, I have had the blessing of seeing my wife (Laurie Woodward) display the Light of Christ into thousands of lives and her example inspires me to do similarly. Quit playing it small; quit fearing rejection, and start serving God and others. Even if everyone else in your church is hiding out, it’s time for you to lift Christ’s Light up. Be the example and start real change in your community.
Christians should understand they are living life before God’s watchful gaze. It doesn’t matter how many approve you in the world if Christ disapproves and it doesn’t matter how disapproved by the world you are if God approves. The following story tugs at my heart every time I read it:
“There was a concert pianist in the last century that longed to play in the great concert hall in Vienna.
When he finished his first concert before thousands, the people gave him a standing ovation.
Afterwards, he was asked, “Was it the greatest moment in your life to receive this long applause?”
The concert pianist replied, “No! I liked it, but it was not the most important thing to me.”
He said, “When the people all sat down, an elderly man who sat in the top corner of the balcony simply nodded his head at me. That was the greatest moment of my life because he is the master who taught me for 30 years. One nod from him was worth much more than the long applause of the masses.”
Needless to say, God is the “Audience of One”. Our life is His gift to us and what we do with it is our gift back to God. One nod from God is worth a thousand boos from the crowd; conversely, one thousand cheers will not be worth God’s disapproval. Therefore, quit seeking man’s approval and start seeking God’s. In a world filled with darkness, the Light of Christ shines brighter than ever before. Despite one of Satan’s biggest insinuations being how little one person can do to make a difference, the fact is that leaders (anyone remember the impact of Joseph, David, or Paul?) make a huge difference when following God’s calling. For instance, imagine a stadium of people filled with 80,000 people in complete darkness. If one more person becomes discouraged and joins them in darkness, nothing much has changed. It was dark before and its still dark now. Darkness and Light, in other words, are not co-equal forces battling it out in some cosmic drama. Rather, darkness is merely the absence of Light, not its opposite. As such, it has no power to do anything, because it’s simply the lack of something. One person, then, who enters the stadium and lifts Light can change everything because 80,001 sets of eyes are now staring at the only thing different in the stadium – the person who had the courage to lift Christ’s Light.
This is the difference a person living his faith can do. Whereas many Church leaders are failing to do what they are called to do, focusing instead on nasty disputes of arcane doctrine and personal vendettas, while the people drown in darkness, perhaps its time for ordinary men and women to do what God commands by showing our love for God by serving people. Maybe its time Christians start meeting non-Christian’s needs, helping serve in their local charities (LIFE on LIFE), helping serve local people by setting them free from the Financial Matrix, and ultimately, helping them see Light in an increasingly dark world. This is a life worth living and a purpose worth pursuing.
Sincerely,
Orrin Woodward: LIFE Chairman of the Board
24 Responses to “Shining Light into a Dark World”
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bill lewis said
Hey O.
This is a great article and unfortunately very true. Its also amazing what is happening in the Life community to change some of these statistics. Thru people building their LIFE communities they are bringing light to many people that would never even think about the difference between light and dark. I have witnessed this myself for many years and I am always amazed at the change in people lives that associate with the LIFE community. “God chooses the what is foolish in the world to confound the wise.” Some people may think what Life is, is foolish but it seems to be changing thousand of lives.
thanks for what you do.
Sarah said
Amen Bill
Steve Duba said
Thanks Orrin. We are all created in HIS image. Learning to love ourselves first is the most important piece. I don’t mean the selfie generation, but seeing the light of CHRIST in ourselves is of utmost importance. The world has beat so many down today that a large majority don’t feel worthy to carry the torch of freedom. Thanks to you and this group of believers we have seen a better future . I’ll always remember the first time I heard you say ” a candle loses nothing when it lights another. These are my words to live by today. God Bless.
Jan Duba said
YES! Love this message, Orrin! Thank you for your continued light of God in your life. This gives us more wisdom to have courage to keep reaching into the darkness. I don’t care how long it takes…I know what we need to do…and we are blessed to not only be the feet of Jesus, but to also have Godly mentors as you and Laurie to be there every step of the way.
Daniel said
Loved this message. Written in plain English for all to understand. How easy to look to the world for applause and recognition;instead of the one who made the world and everything in it for His pleasure.
Thanks Orrin for a simple but, practical truth.
Sarah said
Hi Orrin
That article is truly inspiring!!! I love how the LIFE community is impacting so many lives and changing there destiny. You are a true servant leader. I am so blessed you are leading in the front and truly blessed you are being obiendent to the Lord.
P.S. My son thinks you should be our next President!!! Blessings Sarah
Sharon Hoffman said
So true Orrin. We want to be a light!!! Thanks for shining your love of Christ so brightly in ours!
Marcia said
This is a very powerful article. Thank you for sharing, Orrin!
Renee Oettinger said
Incredible post. Thank you Orrin for your dedication of being a light and helping us learn to be a stronger light each day. We are truly blessed to be following a great man like you who is living for an audience of One. Simple daily gestures bring so much light to others.
Dave Bailey said
“Indeed, the darker the world becomes, the more Light impacts those it reaches.”…. Thank you, Orrin, for boldly taking a stand!
Tamara Dever said
Amen! Our bible study group was discussing this last night. It brings such joy to be that salt and light, when you know you’re doing just what God is asking. 🙂 I had the pleasure of designing an upcoming book called “Street Cred” (by Harry Williams) that urges those in the urban church to be relevant to the inner city population and to be that salt and light right there in the depths. So powerful!
Dennis Squires said
Thank you Orrin, we can not continue to ignore the facts as we plummet headlong into a completely secular society! It’s so good to be a part of a community unabashedly putting our lights together to push back the darkness. God Bless you and Laurie!!!
Bryan Vashus said
THIS is the number one reason I’m involved with LIFE- to be salt and light in my community, lead people to truth, and ultimately lay up treasure in heaven. Knowing God and leading people to Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is my purpose and my passion! Thank you Orrin for being UNASHAMED!
Ben Hykes said
Thanks Orrin. That is so true. I have something I want to share with you and all of LIFE. It’s my dream statement.
I have a Dream
September 23, 2016 I have a Dream…and now I see it becoming a reality…that within the next 5 years… I see the LIFE Leadership Community, and LIFE on Life Initiative, being the example of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Being the model of the “New Heaven and New Earth,” and showing how this is true, letting others know how serious we are about making a difference in this world.
As LIFE reaches a million people we all are living out the teachings of Jesus as He taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, and as Paul the Apostle wrote in Gal. 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) In LIFE it doesn’t matter if you are black or white, what job you have, nor whether or not you have a job, male or female, rich or poor, we all have the same opportunity, and we all are recognized the same way.
I have a dream of “LIFE” being the leader of the next great revival. Having a team of leaders who share the same vision of going out through the land preaching the gospel and making a difference in this world.
I have a dream…and now I see it becoming a reality… of having a training system (AGO) for the new Christians to grow in their new found faith and become new citizens of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
I have a Dream. Ben Hykes
Emanuel &Emanuel Gilmer said
This organization Is Truly Amazingly Fantastic….!!!
Thank You Thank You Thank You Orrin and Lauree Woodward for your Inspiration, Stories, Brilliance but most of all your Hearts for sharing this Incredibly Delicious information
Lydia Seibert said
Orrin,
Thanks for this post, and for your stellar leadership through the years! This is my 12th year in the business, and I have seen the transformation of countless lives, including yours, through the years! Some defining moments for me were: being in my first Sunday worship service at a Major Convention; hearing/seeing leaders’ testimonies/transformation; and recognizing the materials in AGO to be solid, biblically-based material or from the biblical counseling model (for which I have had an interest and read for years!). I have become convinced that LIFE is going to be a light not only in the relationship marketing arena, but in the community, and ultimately, in the world. I am proud to be associated with this organization!
May God bless you as you continue in your journey, and may He protect you from pride, and the temptations and pitfalls of leaders, so that God is glorified in all things!
Mark Combes said
Orrin,
Thank you for this post. It bring home the real purpose of our lives as children of God. Thank you for your continued commitment to lead as God has blessed and to model that leadership thru your teaching and mentoring of many more than you realize. My son introduced me to Life Leadership several years ago. We listen to the CD’s as we work and travel. He has also shared your work with our church leadership. Because of that we currently have 120 men every Wednesday that gather to study through your book “Resolved 13 Resolutions for Life”. It is awesome to see men be challenged to live life with a purpose for the glory of God. I will also be using this book as a basis for teaching our adult class on Sunday. It is making a difference in lives.
Thank You.
Orrin Woodward said
Thanks for sharing Mark. Great to see people growing in faith and service to others! Keep learning and leading big man. God Bless, Orrin
Pat Edwards said
Orrin, Thank you for the powerful, encouraging message. It was the Life Leadership message, all the fantastic life leaders, mentors and coaches, the AGO series and the messages I heard at the major leadership Sunday service, that ultimately returned my heart from the dark to the light of the Lord. I can’t imagine not sharing the light for other to see. I hope and pray people understand what LIFE leadership can do for others. Thank again!
Jeff Campbell said
Orrin,
Thank you for continuing to remind everyone what is most important. What is the point of gaining the whole world only to lose your soul? So too when we seek the praise of 10’s, 1000’s, or 100000’s of men instead of the praise of the ONE TRUE GOD. How quick we are to forget that God sees us and knows everything about us at all times in our life. Thank you for issuing that call! I had the opportunity for two years in 2014 & 2015 to serve as a missionary sharing the Gospel and serving others with all of my basic needs taken met. In the several months since, my habits of daily and weekly serving God’s children has dwindled because I have focused on my own needs of paying for housing, food, transportation, etc. Thank you for reminding me to “do what God commands by showing our love for God by serving people.” I reached out to a friend earlier today to show love to him! Time to do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next day.
See you in Kentucky!
Orrin Woodward said
Jeff, Well Said! Those who serve deserve! 🙂 God Bless, Orrin
Jason Anderson said
“Nobodies can become somebody’s” ?
Don Eagan said
Orrin, you are so right on. After preparing and serving as missionaries for 28 years we came back to North America and could not believe that we returned to the same country we left! We praise God for you and the other leaders and for the integrity that we see in you
Ben Alexander said
Orrin,
When Randy Crain and Steve and Jan Duba shared the LIFE plan with me at a coffee shop almost 3 years ago I was lost in darkness. Since that moment my marriage has healed, 164K in debt has been paid off, I embraced sobriety, and I grew closer to my daughters; Claire and Grace. I even used the concepts to improve my traditional business.
God has a plan for all of us, and the information I found in the LIFE business has clarified that plan and made it possible.
I’m just one of thousands, without Orrin and the leaders behind him I would be divorced, in crushing debt, estranged from my daughters, and more than likely fighting a drunk driving conviction. I was headed down THAT path, but now I’m not.
Our best method for leading more people to Christ is to help them improve the practical aspects of their lives. One little book or audio can open the door to so much more.
Thanks for all you do!