We’re starting a new series that discusses who we are. Who are we? In Christianity, there are times where we are unsure of where we are. There are times when we need to know clearly what we are to do. The church, by itself, does not have a responsibility in getting you involved in something. That responsibility falls back to the believer in Jesus Christ to get involved.
Who are we? We’re all called to be witnesses, but often we are known by what we do rather than what we say. We are called to be different. People should see us as believers in Jesus Christ.
Thw Lord has called us to be a light. Where God has placed us, He wants us to shine for Him. We are called to “be light,” but what keeps our light from shining is sinfulness. We are called to serve–it’s more than just claiming to be saved by Jesus. Your prayer to God should be, “Lord, let me be a light in this dark place. Let me be the one who makes a difference for You.”
We want to be a light for The Lord, and Jesus set the example for us.
John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we live to be His example for others who are indeed living in darkness. This is fitting as God has called you to “be light.” If you make a choice to live in sin, you are living in darkness and in failure, but living in the light gives you victory and the ability to conquer over those things that oppose you or would cause you to stumble.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
It is sin that dims our light. The light may still be there, but we need to understand that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel. To do so would be live contrary to who you are and what you were called to do.
Exodus 27:20-21
20 “You are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning continually. 21 In the tent of meeting outside the veil that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the Lord. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.
This verse conveys the importance of recognizing that God Himself is light, and it is a constant and continuous light. The oil as a gift would allow for God’s light to shine continuously. If we are being as God would call us to be, our light would shine continuously.
Why are we to “be light”?
1 John 1:5
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.
Exodus 14:19-20
19 Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. 20 It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. The cloud was there in the darkness, yet it lit up the night. So neither group came near the other all night long.
As Christians, we should be very distinctive in where we are in Jesus Christ. When He tells us to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-13), He also becomes our protector when we remain obedient to Him. Those who are disobedient to The Lord will see darkness, which is allowed in my God. Those who live in darkness are often stumbling around, while God protects and preserves those who are in the light. You can “see” what is going on in your life.
Proverbs 13:9
The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is put out.
Your light shines because of your righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Exodus 27:20-21
20 “You are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning continually. 21 In the tent of meeting outside the veil that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the Lord. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.
We are to shine brightly for Jesus Christ. We are not forced to do this, for it remains a choice. You have to be willing to walk in the light, for the world loves darkness. The world has conditioned us to live more in darkness, and we need to focus on those matters that keep us in the light. God wants you to shine for Him as you are representing Him. You also need to have the desire to be kept by God in this way.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
God gives good counsel and wisdom to His children as we are willing to be light for Him (Matthew 5:16). To let your light shine means that you are not ashamed of showing who you are before others–family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. People need to see the good things that you are doing for The Lord, and that He is worthy of the praise for what you do. Sometimes, we need to make sacrifices in how we do things in order for your light to shine. People will see that you are being enabled by God in what you are accomplishing. It’s not about praise for you, but for the praise of our Heavenly Father.
We are to set the standards and the example when we live in the light for the world. Let your light shine continuously before others, and watch how God will work through you in reaching others for Jesus Christ.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 