DAILY DEVOTION No. 35

                             A  LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS  

Matt 5:16 - “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and so glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Just before this verse, Jesus says to His disciples, “You are the light of the world”. How did the disciples become the light of the world? By receiving the LIFE of Christ when they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. We receive the same light when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

John 1:4 says, “In Him was life and that life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness”. In Him was life! Let us to look at the words LIFE and LIGHT. Life is 'Zoe' in the Greek (meaning the highest and best which Christ gives, and which He gives His saints). The same word is used in John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the way the truth and the life.” Light is 'Phos' in the Greek (meaning light of the sun or day. Phos is never kindled and therefore never quenched). This is unlike a lamp that is oil-fed. 1 John 1:5 says “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” Jesus is telling us that He is the light and life of the world. This is the same life and light that we have in Him.

“Let your light so shine before men!” I believe Jesus wants us to live life, and give life. I believe He also wants us to live light, and give light – revelation. There are 3 things that are constantly flowing from the throne of God - LIGHT, LIFE and LOVE. It is our responsibility not to let the light die – otherwise there will be darkness all around us and we lose our way, and to always hold the Word of God before you - it becomes a lamp to direct your path. Scriptures to back up this truth are - John 16:13 ….when He the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; Ephesians 5:8 - “You were formally darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light”; 2 Peter 1:3 - God has given us the power to live a life full of His divine light and life (for He has given us all we need for life and Godliness.) I CAN walk in the light as He is in the light by His power and strength.

2) What Is The Point Of Us Living And Walking In The Light?

Is it so that we can look at our own whiteness? Or to admire how holy we have become? Paul says to the Philippians in Chapter 2 v 15-18 - “So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as stars (lights) in the universe (world), as you hold out the Word of life in order that I may boast in the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all." Paul says here: “As you hold out the Word of Life.” Jesus is the Word and He is Life. We have the Word of Life living in us. We have the answers to this world’s hopelessness. God says: “Don’t hide those answers under a bushell, but hold it out that others may see what you have and God may be glorified.

3) The Revelation of John 6:63 (Spirit and Life)? 

This means we have the power of life in what we say. When we are full of God’s Word it will become natural to speak life into other people’s situations - over coffee with our friends, at work or school.

Ask this question. What are your opinions based on? You have the capacity to speak life to people : i)  to make a difference; ii) to point them in the right direction; iii)  to change their destiny. What you have been given was given to you for the purpose of giving life to others, and shedding light in a dark place.

Paul also talks about being poured out as a drink offering and as a sacrifice. God wants us to pour into the lives of others - What we have learned of Jesus, What we have heard of Jesus and What we have seen of Jesus.

Challenge  

What are you doing with the light? What are you doing with the life? God wants His people from the youngest to the oldest to be a light shining in the darkness.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be a light in the darkness. Help me to boldly proclaim the message of the Gospel and to pour out my life into the life of others.