With our focus this year centering on the sharing of the gospel, I can sense, with many of us, the conflict between what we believe about Christ and our need to share it with others. For those who have taken the time to read the book Muscle and a Shovel, I am sure it has heightened that even more. As uncomfortable as it may be (and it is to me), I hope we are learning anew our calling as followers of Christ.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:14-15
We have all sung the song before, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine . . .” This is, in part, one of the necessary things to take place if the gospel is to spread; that is, we need to let our light shine. James Coffman wrote, “This is further testimony to the indispensable nature of God’s children. The world would be in total darkness without them.” When was the last time you thought of yourself as “indispensable”? God wants and needs His children to grasp just how important we are to His redemptive plan. Doubts and fears consume us all too often, resulting in that light being covered.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
As His disciples, we are called to intentionally shine our light before men. The “light” being the result of the transformation caused by Christ, through the renewing of the mind. (Romans 12:1-2) That example is seen as we live “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) Jack Lewis writes, “The good example of the disciple is not found in isolation nor are the good works for self-glorification, but for the glorification of the Father in heaven.” (cf. 1st Peter 2:12) We are being used by God to help draw people to Him; that is, if we allow our lights to shine.
You see, we may think our light is . . . well . . . little, and thus insignificant. The reality is, each and every light matters! Our purpose is to, unashamedly “Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.” God, forgive us for hiding our lights and empower us to boldly place them on a lampstand.
Dennis
Click here to listen to the sermon This Little Light of Mine
