If the question were asked, “What does a Christian owe to those in the world?” some might answer, “Nothing! I haven’t bought anything from them; I haven’t contracted any of their services. I owe them nothing.”
Not all debts are incurred, however, on a goods-for-cash basis. Sometimes, they arise because of the amount of general good that can be produced by what an individual or small group possesses. Four leprous men, for example, went out to the Syrian camp and discovered that the enemy had fled. They rejoiced in the food and the spoils they found there (2 Kings 7:3-8). Did these men owe all who were starving in Samaria anything? As lepers they were outcasts. They had no deal with the leaders of the city, such as, “If you provide for our needs, we will share with you any treasures that we find.”
Yet even they recognized an obligation: “We are not doing what is right. This is a day of good news, and we remain silent” (2 Kings 7:9). It would be sinful to keep to oneself that which would profit so many.
The same would be true of a scientist or a research institute that made a dramatic breakthrough in cancer research. What would the public think if they learned that a cure for cancer, not involving radiation or chemotherapy, had been discovered–20 years ago?! All of those who watched loved ones die needlessly during that time would be absolutely livid with rage against the one who had withheld such a cure. All would look upon it as a matter of obligation to all society. “They owed that knowledge to the public,” we would say.
It is this kind of debt that a Christian owes to the world. Paul wrote: “I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and to unwise” (Romans 1:14). And what is it that the Christian owes to the world? In a word: light.
The world lies in darkness. Paul reminds the Ephesians: “For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord. Walk as children of lightÓ (Eph. 5:8). As he himself was commissioned by Jesus, he was told, “I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).
Christians owe it to those in darkness to bring the light to them, as it was once brought to us. Light is that which enables man to see. It is that which makes available real spiritual food, not just physical nourishment which the lepers brought to Jerusalem. Light is much greater than a cure for cancer; it is a remedy for death and eternal suffering. The world needs light.
There is an irony about light for the world, however. Whereas starving people do not refuse food, and those dying of cancer would enthusiastically accept a guaranteed treatment, many balk at the light. “And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). It remains the case, however, that many seek redemption from their evil deeds.
To offer light is to offer salvation. All have chosen to sin (Rom. 3:10, 23). All stand in need of redemption. Not everyone suffers with cancer. Many do choose to contract it by putting themselves at risk with incessant smoking, but a few (who are never around smoke) can also be afflicted by it. But even so, cancer is not common to all, as sin is. If anyone had a cure for cancer (which distresses only some), we would agree he had an obligation to share his knowledge to save the few. How much more, then, must the light shine in the darkness which engulfs all mankind?!
To offer light is to offer Truth. Jesus not only claimed to be the light of the world (John 8:12); He also claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). But as with light, many have also hated Truth. Paul wrote of “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18) and “who exchanged the truth of God for the lie” (Rom. 1:25). Such is irrational and would be equivalent to the inhabitants of Samaria saying, “We don’t believe the Syrians have left their camp. We think these lepers are lying. We’re staying put.” Actually, Israel did consider the idea that the Syrians were pulling some sort of trick on them (had they heard of the Trojan Horse?). But they were clever enough to investigate to find out the truth of the matter. Sadly, some have eliminated even the possibility that Truth exists; others do not care if it does. These do “not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).
To offer light is to offer hope. Those who are starving always have hope that food will become available. Those suffering through the agonies of cancer can always hope for remission or some new discovery. Those in moral and spiritual darkness have no hope as long as they remain where they are. Those who die in that condition will have no hope throughout eternity. Hell provides no end to its multiple miseries; it offers no relief or abatement of torment, as the rich man learned (Luke 16:24-25). No sane, rational person on Earth would choose eternal damnation in hell if he could experience for a few moments the agony felt by the rich man. But daily many are making decisions that will result in eternal hopelessness.
The Christian has an obligation to those in moral and spiritual darkness. Most will resist the light, and some will respond in a hostile fashion toward the light-bringer. “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). But our willingness to present the gospel to lost souls does not depend on its reception. If starving people refuse to eat, or if cancer patients refuse a lifesaving treatment, such rejection is not the fault of the person of good will. The price of salvation was too dear to keep silent about it. Truth must be spoken; hope must be extended. Eternal life is too great to be hidden. The gospel much be preached. It’s not just a good idea; it’s an obligation.