THE WORLD’S LIGHT
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a
hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
‘For
we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill,’ Puritan John Winthrop
famously preached to fellow immigrants to America aboard ship in 1630. At least
two American presidents have quoted him, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. His
words have resonated for many Americans ever since, reminding them of their
spiritual obligations, not just to each other, but to the whole world.
In China today, church members are intimidated, banned
from worship, placed under house arrest or arrested for their faith and
practice. China tolerates Christian church services, but only within the narrow
boundaries of theology and church life dictated by the State Administration for
Religious Affairs.
Christians in China number between 20
and 130 million. Recent crackdowns on house-church Christians stems from the
Communist Party’s initiative “Operation Deterrence” to force them into
compliance with State Religious guidelines.
If America’s churches are truly to be “as a city upon
a hill,” they should follow the Rev. Graham’s example and help to shed light on
the ongoing repression of their brethren in China.
Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and
Changing the Global Balance of Power”, By David Aikman, The Wall Street
Journal, July 11, 2011, pg. A15.
