Thursday, September 19, 2013

It is a Needed Light


"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

We have been talking about salt and light this week.  Here is a little more information on light. 

It is a Needed Light
In scripture, darkness is seen as negative and representative of sin and death.  Walking in "darkness" is seen as detrimental to our lives.  Proverbs 4:19 says "But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble."  The oppressiveness and defeat of sin is a darkness for which many turn to counseling for "light".  God, Christ and salvation are all seen as "light" in the Word. 

Jesus said in John 3:19, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."  Man still enjoys his darkness.  Face it, we all struggle with sin and have sins we don’t want to give up.  In the dark are the feelings of insecurity, fear and isolation.  So, many need light for security and peace.

It is a Reflected Light
Christ was light by His own nature and brilliance.  One of the greatest illustrations on this point that I have heard was often used by Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse.  He used to say that when Christ was in the world He was a bit like the sun which is here by day and gone at night.  But when the sun goes down the moon comes up, and the moon is a picture of the Church — of Christians.  It shines, but it does not shine by its own light.  Christians shine only because they reflect the light of the SON.  And that is why the world is in such darkness today.  At times the Church is a full moon, in the midst of revival when a man like Luther or Calvin or Wesley is here.  And at other times the Church is a new moon and you can barely see it.  But whether it is a full moon or a new moon, or only a waxing or a waning quarter, it glows because of the sun.  In the same way, you and I can show forth light only if we reflect the real light of the Lord Jesus. 

We reflect whatever we stand before.  If the wisdom of men is what we receive, then that is what we will reflect.  The Christian will be as effective in shining as he is in maintaining his purity and cleanliness before God.  Our brilliance is not dependent on our knowledge, but our purity.

It is a Visible Light
A lamp was lit to be used.  The only reason a lamp would be hidden would be to preserve it from loss or waste.  But in such a position it would not be performing its functional duty.  Light is meant to be placed in the area where light is needed.  Light illuminates whatever it shines on.  The inside of the bushel is still lighted.  The light is not put out because it is under the bushel.  Our light is not lost when hidden, merely limited in its influence.

We can only cover our lives by failing to be the example that Christ has made us.  When we fail to express our Christian faith by standing against sin and the darkness it brings, we are "busheling our bulb".

It is a Revealing Light
Light displays whatever is present.  It reveals truth.  That is why Jesus said in John 3:19 that men hate the light.  Sin in our life can only remain as long as we accept the lie that it will bring peace, happiness or possibly fulfillment to us.

Light does not create darkness, it dispels it.  Light does not just reveal evil and sin, but good, honesty, beauty and wisdom.  Darkness in our lives is the picture of the life without the light of Christ.  For wherever the light comes in there can be no more darkness.  The more light that is allowed into our lives, the better we see the things of darkness that have ensnared us.  Sometimes we discover that it is the things that we have found so precious that are creating the greatest occasion of defeat.  Revealing light creates the problem of whether or not we will "clean up" the exposed dirt.  We don't like those kinds of decisions.

The Christian who walks reflecting the light of Christ will find that others do not really like to have them around because they are constantly revealing the dirt in the dark spots that the rest of the world does not reveal.  If God is exposing some “dirt” in your life, He is giving you an opportunity to make it right, to clean it up before it causes you or someone you love a lot of pain.  Listen to His voice, take heed and appreciate the light He shines in your life. 

Scripture to Claim:
For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6


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