Christians, recently I was reading an article about light bulbs. They were talking about the switch over to “CFL” (compact fluorescent light bulbs). There was a debate about them. Before I go any further, a disclaimer, I have no issue with cheaper, more energy efficient light bulbs. The article was explaining when Edison made the first light bulbs, the light was different, it was bright, it created heat, the light was white. Contrast that with the “new” light bulbs, there is no heat, they are not as bright, the light varies from dull white, yellow, to gray or blue.
People complain because the light is not as good, and God gave me a revelation how this relates to the light that shines through us as Christians. There is doctrine, there are churches today that preach a powerless, low energy, low cost, off color message about the gospel of Jesus Christ in America and some places globally. It is NOT the same gospel that the Apostles preached. You see, it’s about how you, fellow Christian, follow Jesus that dictates how your light shines.
Early Christians were HOT, pure white light, almost physically illuminating with the light of Christ. They did not last long, not because of poor craftsmanship, but because people could not handle that bright of a light. So people broke them, they stoned them, fed them to lions, boiled them in oil, burned them, and so on. Because their light was shining SO bright, it exposed the darkness in the lives of others, convicting them that they needed to repent. People had two options: change or turn the light off. I ask myself: how is my light shining?
In America, it’s pathetic, we want low cost, long lasting, low maintenance products, at the cost of quality and brightness. We want the same thing in our spiritual relationship with God, but it does not work that way. Jesus warns us, it is going to cost us all to follow Him. He warns us that we will be tested, tried and potentially killed for the light we carry. He warns us that we will be judged and mocked by how we live our lives, but He also encourages us that the reward is great for those who shine the brightest.
So how are you shining? Are you giving your all? Is your light visible to others? Are you using a lot of energy to shine brightly for God? Resolve today to be like the first generation of Christians. A high heat, high cost, high energy, bright shining, pure white light for Christ. See how bright your light can shine through a personal, plugged in, deep level of intimacy with the TRUE light of the World, Jesus Christ. I pray you shine bright enough to shine into the darkness around you, in Jesus name, Amen.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. John 3:19-21 (NLT)
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. 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. I John 1:5-7 (NLT)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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