Every Christmas, hundreds of homes are decorated with fancy, glittering, dazzling lights, and the beauty of those Christmas lights are really something to behold. Everyone wants to get in on it!
Some folks will put a short little string of lights on a porch, while others have homes that are ablaze with lights! I have seen homes that are so adorned with lights, that if you drive by at night you would think you were in Las Vegas!
As Christmas nears, I was thinking about Christmas lights, and I marvel how some folks put so much effort into this; and obviously a great deal of time and money too!
As I look at Christmas lights, I am reminded that the Bible speaks about lights, too.
Check these Bible passages out:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Here is another, very familiar passage . . .
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
And one more passage . . .
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Through the Words of Jesus, it is clear; that He is THE Light, and He has come into the world! He truly is the Light of the world! In Him, there is NO darkness at all!
A funny thing about light and especially His light; is that light illuminates!
The Dictionary defines “light” as; something that makes things visible or affords illumination: . . . And the definition for “illuminate” is; “to make lucid or clear”
Light drives out darkness
Light exposes darkness; actually illuminates it, so there is no darkness. If you go into a dark cave and turn on the light, guess what; it is no longer dark! Light dispels darkness; when light shines, there is NO darkness, it is gone; you could say that the darkness flees from the light!
The problem with lighting a dark cavern is that there are things in that cave, that are not accustomed to the light, and when light comes flooding in, the dark “creepy crawlies” get anxious, nervous, and some will actually flee!
Have you ever gone into a darkened basement, and flick on a bright light. If you pay attention, the second that light comes on, there are “things” that quickly move out of sight!
The heart of man is a dark place too; dark like a cave, or a chilly, shadowy basement; Jesus reminds us . . .
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
When light is poured into a cave, the recesses, nooks, and crannies, are clearly seen. A person is now able to safely navigate through what was dark and dangerous because now it is illuminated.
When light pours into the heart of man, the wickedness of his heart is revealed. The difference between a man and a cave is that a man has a choice. Jesus, the Light of the World, or darkness; Life or death, blessing or cursing.
According to Jesus’ own Words;
Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Too many times a man, especially a proud man, will not allow his heart to be fully illuminated. He begins well enough, and a ray of divine Light touches his heart, and Jesus begins to explore the caverns deep within.
Filthy places are uncovered, and the “creepy crawlies” get nervous. For some people, the light is too great, and they begin to retreat, begin to shut the light out.
The man or woman, who begins to shut out the light, will often begin to criticize the very people that have brought the light to them. Husbands lash out at wives, wives lash out at husbands. People in ministries are verbally assaulted, and negativity flows from the darkness of the heart.
Many in this condition find it impossible to say anything truly positive about the light, and about those who carry the light.
They will quickly take on the characteristics of the author of darkness and begin to do what he does. Referring to Satan, the Bible calls him the “accuser of the brethren.”
This is what they did to Jesus; those who refused the light, railed at Jesus, they made false accusations about Him and eventually killed Him by nailing Him to a Cross.
If you are currently being assailed for being a light in a dark place, then PRAISE GOD!
For those who will walk in the Light, with Jesus, He gives you some encouragement. Don’t shrink back! Listen to His words! Jesus has already said that He is the “Light of the World.”
Now, Jesus passes that mantle into you!
“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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
You and I are called to be Christ’s Lights!
God has lit your candle, and he says to you . . . SHINE! Light up a dark place! Set your light on a hill, uncover it, and let the whole world see it!