Glimpses of Truth

The Purpose of Lights

It’s that time of the year when houses of all sizes in all areas put up lights.  Reds and greens are the favorites, but any color will do.  Candle lights, star lights, tree lights, spotlights, just lights of any kind will do.  Yet, we all have our favorites, don’t we, and feel that our choice is best.

I guess it’s all in the eye of the beholder.  Yet, part of the reason we put up all those lights is so others may see them.  Just possibly the main reason is because it’s what we like.  But, like them or not, everyone else who passes by gets to make a judgment on what we have to display.

When Jesus referred to what healthy Christians looked like, He spoke about light.  It’s recorded in Matthew 5:14-16:  “Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

D. Stuart Briscoe once said, “Knowing what to believe is one thing.  Knowing how to behave is an entirely different matter.”  Now, I do understand that these are closely linked together.  Knowledge is important.  Sometimes we shelter ourselves from real knowledge.  But real knowledge of what Christians need to know is of great importance.  In that truth we begin to understand why we believe truth. 

Being “light” means that Christian behavior is to be quite distinctive.  I mean, everybody is looking at our light.  It’s on display.  It’s who we are.  It’s unique, not only in our neighborhood but where-ever we go.  In the world in which we live, our light must be unique and distinctive.  Our behavior, morality, and ethics are to shine brighter than the average.  It’s our choice.

Would you volunteer to be a bright light?

What the world needs is lights.  As much as we might think this is what Jesus is talking about, it just ain’t so.  He was talking to believers who were light.  Now, most of our lights on display are not in the backyard.  Nor are they plugged up in the middle of a bright day.  I’m sure you get my drift.

Remember what those around Jesus said one day:  “We who live in darkness have seen a great light.”  Those who have put their faith in Christ now represent Him in the front yard on the darkest night.  It should be our goal, our aim, to so shine that we get the privilege to be a part of this “continuation” ministry to the point that some would say about us, “We who live in darkness have seen a great light.”  His message is important.  His light is important.  As we live for Him, we become the messenger and the message.  My profession and my performance should line up.  It means not only that our light gets into the front yard, but down the street, to the workplace, and everywhere we go.  This light-giving ministry is the reason God leaves us here.  We’re light.

The picture is a dark painting.  The storms are rapidly pressing in upon us.  People are being blown down. They are not even sure where they are.  They are lost and confused.  The darkness is overwhelming.  That’s why Jesus set us here on this hill.  The darker the place, the brighter the light that’s needed. 

God, help us to be Your light, to be more than a flicker--not to be seen, but to show forth Your presence.