SPIRIT 40 2022 – WEEK 5

SPIRIT 40 – WEEK 5 MARCH 27- APRIL 2, 2022

I AM A SHINING LIGHT

Matt. 5: 14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 

Jesus is the light of the world, as His representatives, Christians are also the light of the world (Jn 8:12). On becoming believers, we not only received forgiveness of sins, but we also received new light and life in Christ. We have come to know the Lord Jesus not only as the Way, but also the Truth and the Life, (Jn. 14:6). Since He is the truth within us, we are the light of the world. “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, made His light shine in our hearts to give us knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). 

The purpose of light is to reveal what is in darkness and to give direction. As the light of the the world Christians have a dual responsibility. We are to be brightly shining lamps to make plain the truth that is concealed by spiritual darkness, and we are to be clear beacons that warn of spiritual danger pointing the way to all who will take notice. “That you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). 

Generally, anyone trying to find their way in darkness will turn to the brightest available light. Scripture tells us that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light…” (2 Cor. 11:14-15). Notice that the false lights can actually appear to be as ‘Christians’ and are actually involved in ‘Christian’ service. No wonder our lights must shine brightly, not even partially hidden. We cannot and must not hide our light or even allow it to grow dim. We must do everything possible to let it shine out so that the evil and error of this dark world is exposed, and that people will be guided in the right direction. How tragic if people in this dark world are led astray by false ‘light’ because our light is too dim to be noticed. 

Even so, we should know that no light in our physical world is self sustaining, and neither is ours. We must continuously recharge our connection by replenishing the oil in our lamps. 

(2 Cor. 4:6), “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give light…” It is the Lord who gives believers a measure of His Spirit to carry within us. That is the oil that should be feeding the light that we reflect. Notwithstanding, it is almost impossible to be completely unaffected by the world we live in, and as such, we must always be on guard and not be taken unaware by the impact of society’s norms, values, and distractions. 

John gives an unambiguous litmus test that we should apply to ourselves. He writes, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth…” (1 Jn. 1:5-7). The imagery was made clear from the early stages of God’s interaction with His chosen people. As a pillar of fire, He led them by night, giving them light in the darkness and illuminating their path out of Egypt (Ex. 13:21, Neh. 9:12). In the tabernacle and later the temple a lamp burned continuously. That flame was symbolic of God’s presence. 

As reflectors of God’s light, when people see us and interact with us, it should be like an interaction with our Father- they should sense His presence and get a picture of what He is like. 

God’s light is a metaphor for our physical lives as well–without light, nothing living can survive. When Jesus struck Paul with blindness on the Damascus Road, He told him that he was being sent to both Jews and Gentiles “to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light…that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Him” (Acts 26:18). This mission comes down to a matter of life and/or death. The baton has now been passed to us and the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Let’s be sure to let our light shine and reflect as ‘a city on a hill’. 

How about you? Are you reflecting the light or has your light dimmed?