God calls believers THE light of the world--the only light of the world. Did you ever stop to think about the power of light?
When does a candle start to give off light--to illuminate the darkness? When it is lit, of course. So it is with you and me as disciples of Christ. When He illuminates our hearts and opens our eyes dispelling the blindness imposed upon us by Satan, it is then that our light begins to shine. And it is a light that should shine brighter and brighter until the day Christ comes. As the darkness around us becomes deeper and deeper, the brighter and more appealing the light should be, the greater its attraction should be to those walking in darkness.
And how do we produce more light? By allowing more of Christ to be seen in us as the "candles"--ourselves-- burn away. How do I allow more of Christ and less of me to become evident? By following the lamp of His Word in obedience--one step at a time expelling the darkness. By holding forth the Word of Life--living a pure life--among crooked, perverse men. By confessing my sin and walking in the light as He is in the light.
What is the great danger the light faces? To have its purpose turned inside out; to become a hidden thing instead of the revealer of hidden things. What "baskets" do we use to hide the light? They could be anything: academics, athletics, popularity, fears, pride, success, financial security--anything that we would rather have the world notice about us than the light of God's Word evident in our daily walk. For we know that the world in its darkness does not like the light that reveals their secrets--their temporary, unsatisfying hopes and the sins they love--and we become afraid--Christian cowards--and reach for a basket. It is not that the light quits burning; it is that we willfully hide it by doing and coveting the same things that the world holds dear. By choosing their values rather than radiating the light of our good works in obedience to Him--those things that glorify His name and draw attention to the fact that we are not of the darkness but of the light; we become--like Satan--a promoter of blindness, cover up Christians. Hypocrites of the worst kind.
The kind of light you are is of no importance--be it a city on a hill, a candle in a room, or a nightlight in a closet. The commandment is the same: SHINE! So that men may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. SHINE! That the men groping in darkness may come to the light of the world. SHINE! That the world may know how great their darkness is. SHINE! That you may know the peace and fellowship of walking with Him. SHINE! That more and more of you will be burnt away to further increase the brightness of the light.
Don't be intimidated by the darkness. Darkness has never put out a light. Light always expels the darkness. It's invincible. Shine or the world you'll be deliberately leaving in the dark--for eternity--are the people to whom you claim to be a friend. Some friend you'll turn out to be.
Just shine. Light up the world you live in. It will make an eternity of difference.
When does a candle start to give off light--to illuminate the darkness? When it is lit, of course. So it is with you and me as disciples of Christ. When He illuminates our hearts and opens our eyes dispelling the blindness imposed upon us by Satan, it is then that our light begins to shine. And it is a light that should shine brighter and brighter until the day Christ comes. As the darkness around us becomes deeper and deeper, the brighter and more appealing the light should be, the greater its attraction should be to those walking in darkness.
And how do we produce more light? By allowing more of Christ to be seen in us as the "candles"--ourselves-- burn away. How do I allow more of Christ and less of me to become evident? By following the lamp of His Word in obedience--one step at a time expelling the darkness. By holding forth the Word of Life--living a pure life--among crooked, perverse men. By confessing my sin and walking in the light as He is in the light.
What is the great danger the light faces? To have its purpose turned inside out; to become a hidden thing instead of the revealer of hidden things. What "baskets" do we use to hide the light? They could be anything: academics, athletics, popularity, fears, pride, success, financial security--anything that we would rather have the world notice about us than the light of God's Word evident in our daily walk. For we know that the world in its darkness does not like the light that reveals their secrets--their temporary, unsatisfying hopes and the sins they love--and we become afraid--Christian cowards--and reach for a basket. It is not that the light quits burning; it is that we willfully hide it by doing and coveting the same things that the world holds dear. By choosing their values rather than radiating the light of our good works in obedience to Him--those things that glorify His name and draw attention to the fact that we are not of the darkness but of the light; we become--like Satan--a promoter of blindness, cover up Christians. Hypocrites of the worst kind.
The kind of light you are is of no importance--be it a city on a hill, a candle in a room, or a nightlight in a closet. The commandment is the same: SHINE! So that men may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. SHINE! That the men groping in darkness may come to the light of the world. SHINE! That the world may know how great their darkness is. SHINE! That you may know the peace and fellowship of walking with Him. SHINE! That more and more of you will be burnt away to further increase the brightness of the light.
Don't be intimidated by the darkness. Darkness has never put out a light. Light always expels the darkness. It's invincible. Shine or the world you'll be deliberately leaving in the dark--for eternity--are the people to whom you claim to be a friend. Some friend you'll turn out to be.
Just shine. Light up the world you live in. It will make an eternity of difference.
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