Light in Darkness

​Imagine what our world would be like if there was no physical light.
Absolute, total, black as black can be, darkness covered the earth. I for one would a bit terrified if there was no light to shine on the pathway of life. You would be too.
Thank God for guys like Edison and others who figured out how to light up civilization!
On a more serious and foreboding note, the world you and I live in is spiritually dark, becoming darker and darker with the passing of every day.  
False religions. False prophets. Cults. Atheists. Agnostics. Deceivers. Satanists…mercilessly peddle their veiled darkness on spiritually blind folks.  All the above have one thing in common: they are lost souls, walking in spiritual darkness, searching for light and a Savior.
The devil is the prince of darkness. He hates the light of God. Ever notice that people sin in the darkness? There are no brightly lit bars or saloons. Darkness is the devil’s playground. Sinful, unredeemed men and women love darkness more than light.
Light exposes darkness. When you walk down a hallway in your house, the hallway light will flood into the dark bedroom when you open the door. The darkness in the bedroom does not go out into the hallway and chase the light away.    
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, came to the world to bring light to darkness.
The Lord declared about Himself “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD; He who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life.” John 8:15
Light of the world. Follow Me. No more darkness. Light of life. I like that!
Christians have the light of Christ in them and are to shine that light in a dark world.
 Darkness makes it difficult to find our way. Flashlights are my friend. They light the path when I need to know where I am going!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 “You (Christians) are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
Christians are the light of Christ in the world. If I may put it this way, we are the path lighters, illuminating the road to salvation. The crucified and resurrected Jesus is at the end of that road!
 
Sadly, some professing Christians are lights out instead of lights on. Their light is covered by baskets of worldliness, carnal behavior, spineless convictions and deadly compromise that only add to the darkness surrounding them.
How can no light or a dim lead anyone to the light of Christ?
I am so thankful to God for many, many Christians, who over the years, shined the light of Christ into my life, especially when I was unsaved and walking in darkness. They were a brightly lit city on the hill for Steve Roll. Sent by God, these faithful light bearers showed me the way to salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus!
I would not be saved today if it were not for preachers, evangelists, pastors, Sunday school teachers, Campus Crusade for Christ students knocking on my dormitory door, a faithful Christian boss who took me under his wings, mentoring me about life and Christianity and a host of precious brothers and sisters in the Lord who cared to shine Christ’s light with a sinner like me.  
With God’s help, I have done my best to shine my light for Christ for fifty years because of those who shined His light into my life.    
How To Shine Brightly for Jesus

1. Walk in the light of Jesus. Every day our faith in Christ sheds light on someone’s dark life.  
2. Shine brightly for Jesus. Do not be dim for Him. Keep your spiritual battery charged to full strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.  
3. Build relationships with those in darkness. Pray, ask God as to who you can reach out to.
4.  Influence lost souls for the Kingdom of God. Be Christlike as you lighten up their life.
5. Invite those lost in darkness to receive the light of Christ. Led them the way out of darkness. Share the plan of salvation with them.  
6. Teach those who receive the light of Christ how to walk in the light.
7. Rejoice and give thanks that you are the Lord’s light-bearer!

Dark days certainly. The good news: the light of Christ in His followers is greater than the world’s darkness inspired by Satan!
Read these riveting, soul-searching words from the Apostle Paul as he shined brightly for Christ from a jail cell awaiting execution.   
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15
How is your light shining for Christ?
Lighten up your life and somebody else’s with the light of Jesus!
“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.” Luke 1:79
“Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
A Word For Your Week: Be the light people in darkness need to come to Christ.