"No
one, when he has lit a lamp, puts [it] in a secret place or under a basket, but
on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. "The lamp of the
body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full
of light. But when [your eye] is bad, your body also [is] full of darkness.
"Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.
"If then your whole body [is] full of light, having no part dark, [the]
whole [body] will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives
you light." Luke 11:33-36 NKJV
I
was fortunate enough to be raised by Christian parents and introduced to our
Lord at a very early age. Some of my most favorite memories are of sitting in
Sunday School singing songs and listening to the stories as we were taught
about the Gospel of Christ, and Jesus' love for us. One of my memories is of
how much we liked to sing certain songs, which was evident in the volume we
sung them. One of those which I am sure many of you remember as well is called
“This Little Light of Mine”. Complete with hand motions, we would sing that
particular song as loud as five and six year old children possibly could.
I
don't remember how old I was when I figured out that the message in this song
was taken straight from scripture, but it is one lesson that I have never
forgotten, and in light of where we see the world going lately, one which I
feel is extremely important to all of us. One doesn't have to read and study
scripture very long before coming to the knowledge of the importance God places
on the actions of those who profess to believe. I know of, and have heard so
many instances where people have found out after the fact that people around
them were watching them closely to see if their actions in life lived up to
their profession of faith. It happens all the time and yet there are many in
the body which seem to be completely unaware of the fact that their light might
be burning a little “dim”.
Something
I am sure most of you have already noticed is that at times the Bible certainly
could be described as a book of opposites. This is especially true when you
contrast what the Bible calls the “works of the flesh” and the “fruits of the
Spirit”.
“Now
the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies,
outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,
drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I
also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians
5:19-21 NKJV
“But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
So
the question for us is simple...what do others see when they look at us? Do
they see a light shining in the darkness or a light hidden so well that we look
just like the world around us? Many, if asked, would say that the world is
getting darker. Society is changing quicker than ever and the relative morality
of the world is spiraling downwards at an ever increasing pace. The struggle
for us as believers is to insure that we continue to reflect the light that is
in us even as persecution begins to be commonplace as we are attacked for our
faith in God and adherence to His principles.
“in all
things showing yourself [to be] a pattern of good works; in doctrine [showing]
integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned,
that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” Titus 2:7-8 NKJV
Since
next Sunday is the Super Bowl it seems appropriate to use football as an
illustration in some way so I will try to do that in light of what we are
talking about. I'm sure most of us, either in football or something else, could
at one time or another be described as a fan. Fans like a certain team and
support them (sometimes exuberantly) as the season goes on. They may even wear
their team’s colors with hats or jerseys or even fly flags which show their
support. But what happens when their team begins to lose? Have you seen
pictures of stadiums which are only half full because fans either leave early
or don't come at all? I think you could make the case that in difficult times,
when the going gets rough; the only people who still show support are those who
are committed followers of their team.
As
believers, maybe that is a question we need to ask ourselves when times get
difficult. Are we true followers of God who are committed to follow Him no
matter what the cost or the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Or are we
simply fair weather fans who are committed only when things are going well and
we are happy with our circumstances?
“Beloved,
I beg [you] as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war
against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by [your] good works which they
observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV
More
and more we see those who choose to believe be attacked for their faith, but
this passage makes it clear that even though others may choose to speak against
us, the fact that we choose to stay strong and keep the faith will glorify God
in the end. Others are watching us, especially as the circumstances around us
get more difficult. Yet it goes without
saying that a light shines brighter the dark grows darker. Our responsibility is to make sure our light
shines in such a way as for others to see.
“For we
know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until
now. Not
only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the
redemption of our body.” Romans
8:22-23 NKJV
Is
it no wonder we find it difficult to wait upon the Lord? We watch as our nation
experiences anger, protest, and even violence. Much of that is now being
directed at the body of Christ and those who choose to live according to His
principles. Yet waiting is what is expected of us as believers, so I think it
important that we should be looking for some of the reasons God asks this of
us. I would like to share just three ideas I have about why we as believers
find ourselves in this situation right now.
One: We are being
prepared to fully appreciate eternity with our Lord.
“For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are
seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are
temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2
Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV
The
more we must endure down here increases the joy we will find when we finally
experience the glory of life with God in the place He has prepared for us. The
longer the wait is, the stronger the anticipation and the greater the
appreciation.
Two: We are being
strengthened with power from above which allows us to complete the tasks He has
set for us here.
“But
those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with
wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not
faint. “ Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
We
know what is expected of us here on this earth, and it should come as no
surprise that the opportunities to share our faith will increase dramatically
as the end draws near. In a way, you could say this is our time to shine, and
God has promised to give us the strength necessary to succeed.
Three: We are to be
living examples of His faithfulness.
“For
the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all
generations.” Psalms 100:5 NKJV
I
have three daughters who are grown and living on their own now, and one of the
lessons about life that I often have an opportunity to share with them is God's
faithfulness. Of course I have to explain to them it's easier for me because I
am a little older than they are (okay, a lot older) but having experienced more
examples of God's faithfulness makes it easier to accept whatever situation I
find myself in. I simply remind them of the situations in their past when they
were in agony about waiting for something, yet God always came through. In
these situations God demonstrates His faithfulness to us, and also through us
so others can see.
At
times, waiting can be agony. I won't deny that and neither will you. I am so
ready for Jesus to return, but He isn't here yet and we are being asked to wait
a little longer. How long? I have no idea, but it certainly doesn't look like
it will be much longer until the labor pains will be over and we will be delivered
to glory with Him while the world is delivered to tribulation. It should go
without saying that there are reasons for making us wait. I truly believe it is
because our light can shine brighter as the world around us gets darker. Look
to God for strength, and be busy making the most of the opportunities we have
in the short time we have left.
If
you have never chosen to accept the gift of eternal life provided for us by God
the Father, I would urge you to do it today.
Time to make that choice is indeed rapidly running out and Jesus
returning to take His own back with Him to heaven could happen at any
time. All you need to do is simply ask
Him for forgiveness for your sin, invite Him to come into your life, and
believe He died to pay the price for your redemption. A simple prayer like this is all that He
wants to hear from you.
Dear Lord Jesus, I
know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from
my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my
personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Now let your light shine.
Keep
watching.
