Do you remember the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine”?
Remember how it goes?
Remember how it goes?
This little light of mine,
I’m going let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m going let it shine
Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m going let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
There is no doubt that secular society has a negative view of the Church today, and most attributed this to the behaviors of Christians. It’s certainly understandable why some may believe this way when it’s often hard to identify Christians from non-Christians. Our culture is a self-centered one, and to many it appears Christians habitually forget they’re to be light bearers and not the light. As believers we need to remember the life we live is not our own, and the light that shines within us should be reflective of Christ. There’s no room in the Church for narcissism, yet when we take to the stage of Christendom in order to draw attention to self we automatically obscure the true Light. When our words and actions are self promoting it damages the testimony and cause of Christ.
In Patrick Morley’s book “I Surrender” he makes this interesting statement:
In Patrick Morley’s book “I Surrender” he makes this interesting statement:
“… the church’s integrity problem is in the misconception ‘that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior.’”
I’ve found through my years of ministry that a great number of individuals try to compartmentalize their Christianity by separating their beliefs from other areas of their lives. We’re either all in or all out. Christ Jesus never called anyone to part-time service. He also didn't call us to be a spectacle seeking the approval of man by diverting the Light or diluting the Gospel.
If we’re to truly make an eternal difference in the lives of others for Christ then our actions must match our words as light bearers. Ask yourself this question, “When those outside the Church look at my life who do they see?” Keep this in mind; light exposes the sin of mankind when held in comparison to Christ. Light also has the ability to draw or expel depending upon the heart.
Heed these words from John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Let the world see less of us and more of Christ as we serve as His bearers of Light.
Blessings,
Rod
If we’re to truly make an eternal difference in the lives of others for Christ then our actions must match our words as light bearers. Ask yourself this question, “When those outside the Church look at my life who do they see?” Keep this in mind; light exposes the sin of mankind when held in comparison to Christ. Light also has the ability to draw or expel depending upon the heart.
Heed these words from John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Let the world see less of us and more of Christ as we serve as His bearers of Light.
Blessings,
Rod
