“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8
Have you ever known someone who seemed to emanate darkness?
Science will tell us that darkness is simply the absence of light. Darkness doesn’t “shine,” but there are some people who seem to love being cruel and evil. It seems like their darkness radiates out.
Shades of Darkness?
We may think of Hitler or Hanibal Lector or some other truly horrible person, but the truth is that without Christ, we are darkness. Jesus is the Light of the World, Without Him, there is only darkness. Our sense of levels of darkness in people isn’t really because some have a little light, but more a testament to our ability to diminish how bad certain sins are.
“It’s just a little, white lie.”
No, it’s a lie. It’s wrong. It’s sin. It’s all darkness.
Shine Jesus Shine
Jesus, however, is pure light. There is no darkness in Him. He is the Light of the World who came down into the darkness of the world to save it, to bring His light.
When Jesus enters us through faith, we now live in His light.
Notice, we don’t “live in darkness.” We ARE darkness. Think of us like a bundle of sticks in a cold, dark forest. Those sticks will never become a fire because they have no flame in them. It’s only when the sticks are set on fire by an outside source that they begin to burn and shine.
Thus, we are IN the light. We aren’t the light, Christ is. He is that external source who brings the light. He ignites the fire. He shines into our lives and does it so intensely that we shine into the darkness of the world, too. It isn’t our light. It’s Jesus’ light shining through us.
There Are More Sticks
Jesus tells us not to hide His light. Let it shine for all to see. Let the fire burn brightly because there are lots of sticks out there who, just like we did, need to ignited. Christ’s light is spread when we love others and share the Gospel.
So, let your light shine!
Or should I say, Let His light shine. 😉
Dear Jesus,
You spoke Your light into my darkness through Your Word. Shine brightly throughout the World. Shine brightly in my life. Help me to not cover up Your light, but set it out for all to see and may many more who are, now, darkness, come to know Your light.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
