©2002 Charles Darby
Is Our Light Shining?
When I was growing up we lived on a farm in Alabama, USA. We were about ten miles from the nearest town and that was over dirt roads. We went to town three or four times a month. Travel, most of the time, was by mule and wagon. A full days journey!
We had no electricity in the house. The only light we had was by oil lamp. To be at peak performance we had to keep the wick trimmed, the globe cleaned and the lamp full of oil. If these things were not done on a regular basis the light was very poor or wouldn't shine at all. It required diligence on our part.
Mat 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Here the phrase “the light of the body” refers to our eye as a lamp to our body. Our eye should be single, meaning free of defects, so we can see clearly. If the eye is not free of defects we will not have the true light in us. In that case our body will be full of darkness.
We are not talking about natural defects that require glasses or surgery to correct. The Word is talking about spiritual defects that keep us from seeing clearly what our Lord desires of us. In Revelations 3:18 Jesus said “anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” This anointing is in the Holy Spirit. He will take the things of Jesus and show them to us, if we will let Him.
Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The only way to let our light shine is by our good works. Our deeds either bring glory and honor or disgrace to our Lord. Jesus said we are the light now; so we should keep our lamp trimmed, cleansed and full of oil so our (deeds) light will bring glory and honor to our Father in heaven.
A light must be seen to be of value to anyone. Are we letting our light shine before others so they can see Jesus in us? Should we not all be at least as diligent as we were with the oil lamp to keep it clean, trimmed and full of oil so as to give the best light possible?
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
How can we do this? Read the Word of God daily and pray over it asking for the understanding of what we read. Ask Him to show you if you have anything out of line with the word. If you find you have not been doing what the word says; ask for forgiveness and receive it. Then walk in the truth. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. That's part of His work.
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