Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:14-16
Years ago, before blogs and such, I started writing stuff like you have been reading. I used to send it via email directly to folks in my list. Well, computers change and address lists get lost and so does time and I lapsed into not writing for a while. Actually it wasn't right for me just to send everyone that I had an email address for a copy of my theological opinion, people need to be asked first. I guess back then I was sort of a "Spiritual
Spammer." I just want to briefly say "thank you" for your reading and reception to these postings. I trust with God's help and guidance I will be able to continue this, and please forward them on to your friends if you feel you can do so.
Having said all that, the title this week, not really dealing with New Years, is one from my old email devotionals. I used to live on a dark road in Logan, WV. We did have one street light but it never burned all the time, so there were periods we would go without light out there at night. When Christmas time came most everyone on the road put out a lot of lights. We would put out those big large bulbs sort of from the fifties, plus we would put out our ancient lighted nativity which we still put out. Anyway, all this light made the road brighter and dispelled the darkness. Then came New Year's Day and everyone began turning off their lights for good. The street became pitch black again. As I stood outside one night just looking around it occurred to me that this once well lit area, now dark, is symbolic of what will happen when the Church is
raptured out of the world. The Light of our witness will be gone.
Of course we are not the Light, as John wrote of himself, but we are the carriers of the Light. No matter how the world treats you, it does not know how valuable the Christian is, until the Light they have taken for granted is removed from their sphere of existence. There will be of course 144,000 Jewish evangelists in the world during the Tribulation, yet in all this it will not be as bright in the world as it is today.
As I think about this subject again, I am sitting here looking at our wonderful Christmas tree. God has blessed us with a 9 foot
artificial beauty that has about 600 lights on it. The tree glows in the darkness and illuminates all the corners of the room. This is how you and I are to be in the world we live in today. Let's look at some ways our Light of Christ impacts our world. In reading this also think of how it will be when these impacting forces are removed.
First, our Light illuminates man's sin. Now I'll admit this is not a seemingly great opening point. Seemingly no, but in reality, most definitely yes. Man feels it cruel and judgemental to have his or her sin pointed out. When done lovingly that is the best news however they can ever hear since it does not end there but gives way to hope. If hope were not present, we would be the worst lot of depressive doom talkers that ever walked. People don't seem to care to be revealed in that manner of knowing they are sinful. Man would rather be comfortable in the dark where no one sees, rather than change. Or, man feels that he will not be condemned because he doesn't believe in sin's penalty according to the Scriptures.
Dr. Charles Stanley, my favorite Bible teacher, once remarked profoundly and simply, (paraphrase)
"Man cannot change God's Truth. When God says something will come to pass it is not dependent on what man believes. God's promises will come to pass as He said, it makes no difference whether we choose to believe it or not."I don't like to go to doctors. But if there is something wrong with me that I know can be cured, the diagnosis would not be as scary or fearful to hear as it would be if there were no cure to be found. Such is true with our Light. The Light of the Gospel does reveal bad things, but it produces a cure all in the same manner. Far better it is to be cured than to live and then to die of what was easily preventable. Think what will happen when the free witness of man's sinful condition will be not heard of when the Lights go out.
Second, our Light draws the curious and the needy. For some folks, the Light of the Gospel does not intimidate them. Light always draws a crowd. Just look at the gnats in the summer and how they flock to a light bulb shining in the darkness. Folks who come seeking know on the surface at least that the Light of God's Truth is different than what they are used to. Out of curiosity here they come. This is wonderful. Folks who are unsaved ask questions inwardly and outwardly as they observe believers. They wonder in themselves how can Jesus transform me? They see the Light and want it for themselves. Hard to do when a majority of this Light is gone away from them one day. Then there is the needy. Jesus encountered the needy on a regular basis. Many came to Jesus with all sorts of needs. They knew He could relieve them of sickness and burdens. People today do the same and more so when they know their needs are deep in the soul. People feel unwanted, unloved, unattached, etc. They may have been divorced, hurt, grieving, in poverty, etc. This is the open door to shine the Light of Christ in. Christians need to help the needy understand that Jesus will help them with their problems if they put their faith in Him. Just as people stranded in a cave come running to a source of light for hope of escape, it is precisely what a non-believer does inwardly when you show Christ to them. Someone you know may not seem curious or needy now, but they will be one day and you can stand, never in pride, but in love ready to help them. That is until the Lights go out of the world.
Third, our Light warms and comforts the broken. Light has so many qualities. I think there is no greater
fitting than for Jesus Christ to be clothed in glorious Light. We read how Light draws but it can also warm and
restore. Think of a campfire or bonfire on a cold fall night. It is refreshing for its Light that helps us see, but mostly for its heat to warm our body. We gravitate towards light because it comforts us. There is so much to say here on this point. But
distinctly, Light makes the grand difference in a person's health and their soul's destiny. One who is constantly exposed to physical darkness are more depressed, their bodies do not function well, and their attitudes are usually negative. People walk into my church every week with great weight upon their hearts. If the church of our Lord were no
different and our message was no
different then we rank no better than a secular
counsellor. People don't go to a dentist when they are having stomach pains. Likewise, the Light is where they need to go, where they know there is help, comfort, relief, and acceptance. Not so easy when the Light goes out of the world.
Lastly, our Light gives an eternal hope that no one else gives. It is true that people come to church for hand outs, be it monetary, food, or
something else. That is fine, Jesus did not turn these people away. BUT. our kind of Light does not promise dollars on trees, but is far more concerned with what is about to come in a person's life, namely eternity, and will outlast the problems of this life without blinking. Yes people need groceries and power bills payed. But deep down they (even the wealthy) know there needs to be more. Nothing we earn or do can assure us of our
spiritual needs. When Jesus encountered people, yes He saw their immediate needs, but He saw their souls within the body. He came as a Shepherd to guide the wayward flock out of the
prairies of disillusion to the Delectable Mountains of His grace. The forgiveness of an eternal condemnation is
worth more than all the money in the world. We will clearly see that more
profoundly when we cross over and see the glories of God in us. People yearn for this.
They may not do it properly or with
religious piety, but they desperately want someone to lead them out of their darkness. This is our job. A job
coming at an end, quickly.
Do you remember the dark void left by turning off the lights? Do we take for granted the freedom we have to be
expressers of the Light of God? Have you considered how dark the
world around you will be, when no Light is to be found.
We need the desire afresh from God to be working in the fields while it is yet day, for night comes, when NO one can work. Value the Light God has put with in you, then share it with others in some way. We cannot make people come to Christ, but while we are here we can help lead the way. What a horrible thing it will be for those who scoff at the Light to plunged into eternal darkness! Hell is that place. The main characteristic of Hell is darkness. This should tell us how important our Light is.
Remember, one small candle is enough to fill a
whole dark empty space.
Wherever there is the True Light of Christ, darkness cannot co-exist.
Father, please help me and all who read this to use our time wisely for You. As 2009 arises, our Light may be raptured out soon. What a glorious day for us, but a horrible day for the unbeliever. Help us to shine brightly as a beacon of Your Hope in the days ahead. In Your Name, Amen. Image by
Santa Lane
