An admirable trait every disciple needs is steadiness. One of the best inventions of the last century was the electric light bulb. The lowly light bulb extends our working and enjoyment hours of each day by several hours, before and after sunset. Did you ever notice what happens to a light bulb just before it reaches the end of its life? Often it burns super-brightly for a few seconds and then, poof!- it falls dark as the filament breaks. The steady light that comes from a bulb is what we count on to read, to converse, to do our work. We don’t want flickering light. We don’t want flashes of light. We want a steady, bright glow.
As we represent Christ, we do so, in His words, as lights. In Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) we read: "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. ... I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand——shine! Steady, consistent, reflecting the Light of Jesus." In the Scripture, we are taught that there are many things that can put out the light in us, or make it dim.
We deal with ...
- the sinful nature that resists the work of the Spirit;
- world systems that oppose God’s ways; and
- the Devil who organizes evil!
Remember, it’s not the glow of our personality, the brilliance of our skills or intelligence, that gives the light. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV)
How can we shine consistently, lighting the way for others? Walk in the Light!
"So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:6-9, NLT)
So, disciple, shine brightly today. Choose wisely so that nothing dims the Light shining in you. Invite the Spirit to clear the lens of your life, wiping away the dirt of sin and Self. Keep focused on the Light. It’s about Jesus working in you, working through you, shining the Light in a dark world.
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Lord, I come to Your awesome presence.
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine.
Fill this land with the Father's glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze.
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations
With grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word,Lord,
and let there be light.
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Kendrick, Graham© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
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