Awhile back I was walking in my yard after dark and in the
grass I saw a tiny little point of light. I turned on my flashlight and poked
around and decided it was coming from a glowworm larvae that was about a
quarter inch long. The glowing part was only a little dot on one end. It was
quite amazing to think that something so small could catch my attention in the
dark.
This world that we live in is getting darker all the time
with legislation, politics, terrorism, persecution, etc. Things are getting
progressively less comfortable for Christians. It’s not hard to bear the name
of Christian when we’re in the majority or at least are respected. It’s easy to
be a light in a light world. It’s not so easy when even the tiniest light draws
hostile attention. Yet that is exactly what we are called to do: “In the same
way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 ESV). Obviously
the people who see us will not all give glory to God, but our actions should
glorify God regardless of how others react. His approval should be all that
matters.
Paul wrote, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of
darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). That comes in
the midst of a whole chapter about persecution, affliction, and perseverance.
The psalmist said, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn
Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Affliction is the fire that refines our faith.
Many who once claimed to be Christian will no longer do so when it has negative
consequences. Others who have been on the fringes may accept that God’s way is
the only way and their light will shine that much brighter.
With some of the statements being made by prominent
Christians in recent weeks, defending positions that are incompatible with Scripture,
I mourn the fact that their lights have grown dim. They claim to represent
Christ and His Word, but they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. They
are no longer glorifying God as a light shining in the darkness because they
are indistinguishable from the world and they are leading people away from the
truth.
Scripture has a lot to say about the light, walking in the
light, and the judgment that will come against those who walk in darkness. For
example:
- “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
- “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil… But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19, 21).
We who belong to God need to be careful to guard against
error, deception, and compromise, so that our light will shine more brightly as
the darkness around us grows.
“For at one time you
were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try
to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10).
© 2016 Dawn Rutan.
