Good Morning Friends,
The days are starting to get longer, and the New Year Resolutions are being tested in the Light of Christ. And it makes me think about the moment God spoke Light into existence. But it also prompts me to remember our celebration on Christmas Eve by candlelight. And so today we revisit the idea of this Light not just bathing the Earth but being in us. You have all heard that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. But the problem is that sometimes we hide the candle. The thing is that God’s presence in us is designed to shine forth, so we might see and share the joy of life, in the assurance of our faith and in forgiveness redeemed. You can come as you are into this relationship with the Father through Jesus, but here is the disclaimer, you cannot stay in it without being changed. Our sanctification is not complete, and God Will Be Who God Will Be. There are those things we just would rather not see at all in ourselves and others. And there are those things we would rather avoid. And so, we ask this morning, Is Our Light Shining A Way To Healthier Relationships?
Scripture: Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NRSV)
He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
Mark 4:21-25 (NRSV)
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God; you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come. May this be instruction for the people, O Lord God! And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people forever; and you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it forever; do as you have promised. Thus your name will be magnified forever in the saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’; and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant; now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”
2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 (NRSV)
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14–15 (NIV)
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
Luke 8:16-18 (NRSV)
Message: Let’s face it, everybody lies, even though they are the kind of lies that are socially acceptable. But some people have it a little worse than others and would rather crawl back into their caves than to see the light of day in a reality that makes them uncomfortable. But honestly there is more to the light of God than revealing our imperfections and this can help with healing as well. However, if we are transparent in our dealings, the light of God can shine through us. For ultimately, we have no light of our own and must depend on the light of God if indeed we are to shine a light in the darkness of the world. Friends, no insight or discovery shines so bright as Jesus. So today we think about the Light of God and consider whether the Lord will shine through us or not and if we are really allowing God’s Word to penetrate our hearts and minds so that we too become the Word shared. The image that Jesus paints in this regard is of someone going to get a lamp as dusk is falling, lighting the wick, illuminating the room, and then, for some inexplicable reason placing the lamp beneath a measuring bowl, to hide its light from the room in the foolish attempt to perhaps save it for themselves. Maybe we should ponder this for a moment or two… why a person would defeat the purpose of the light by doing such a thing and yet that is exactly what we do when we shy away from sharing Christ with those around us…when we live a lie instead of the truth. And this is basically what we do when we sin. So, friends, know that light is associate with the truth of God. Indeed, God is light…the Father of lights and the Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths. So, listen up. Take heed. Your sin and mine, if we do not deal with it, if we do not confess it and forsake it, it is going to catch up with us and darken the world… our world. Someday friends, everything will be revealed by the light of God’s presence. The Day is coming. But if we belong to Jesus a solution is provided. Friends, the light reveals who we really are. So, the only way we can really live is to live in the light of God’s truth, holiness, and purity… the Light of the World, Jesus. And know this…a relationship with Jesus is designed to impact every area and aspect of one’s life including our relationships with others. So, if we are allowing ourselves to be transformed into the image of Jesus, more and more each moment that light will help others in time seek the light for themselves. For those who we are in a relationship in Christ, our focus is encouragement, for the Body of Believers but also for those outside of Christ. The Way of our relationships, even though sometimes painful, needs to focus a light of glory on reflecting the light of Jesus in us. This is how we can help to bring others into the Family of God as children of the Light. This is the path of sanctification.
And So, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that we were light, unfortunately too many of us do not like to share it properly. When Christ died on the cross it was as if part of him was placed in us as a light that if combined with others and focused would be a spotlight to shine into the darkness of the world. The challenge is connecting all those points so that others might see. The challenge is that too many are hoarders of light, keeping it hidden. Friends, we are to let the light of Christ in us shine so that others may see these fine works and give glory to God who is in the heaven. Our light is to be a response to God’s love in the message of Jesus…in the presence of Jesus. The key idea here is that light is to be revealed not concealed. Jesus will not be denied. But make no mistake about this point…as the light shines it exposes everything and challenges us to be blameless. Darkness cannot exist in the Light. There are no secrets here…ultimately all is revealed. Thankfully in God’s grace, here we discover that this journey is more about discovering God’s light in us than making our own.
Pray we reflect the light of Christ across a world of darkness. Pray we realize that God will hold us accountable for our actions. Pray we realize that God knows what we do and cares about what we do. Pray we accept the solution Christ offers. Pray we share the solution of Christ to those around us. Pray we let Christ’s light shine in us. Pray we encourage one another in the truth. Pray we keep the light on but not shine it in another’s eyes. Pray we shine it on the slant towards a person’s next step. Pray we allow the light of Christ to unlock the treasures of our earthly life so they might be shared generously. Pray we as change agents illuminate the gospel message. Pray we shine a light as a witness to the light in us so that the world might be transformed, and our own fears and demons defeated. Pray we be unified in the silent work of influence and a visible manifestation of God’s presence. Pray we Love our neighbors. Pray we Imitate Christ. Pray we Get to know others. Pray we honor Hospitality. Pray we Tell others about Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 