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In Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." The Christian can only reflect the light, he cannot shine on his own. The reason the world is in darkness is because it only gets reflected light, and we don't always reflect very well.
A light is meant to be seen. Matthew 5:14-16. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house,. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." But how often do we cover up our light by our uncharitable speech, murmuring and complaining, an unforgiving spirit, the daily language we use in the factory, workshop, schoolroom or kitchen. Our whole life must radiate Christ, not the moody, grouchy sour kind of a guy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. We are simply to shine where we have been placed. In fact, in the darker and less promoising places, our light may have the greatest effect.
This light is meant to be a guide. Like the lighthouse for the ships. "Let the lower lights be burning, send a gleam across the wave:" (P. Bliss) This refers to a line of lights which mark the channel for the ships to sail safely. In the same way the Christian should be a light which can be seen, a light which warns, the light which guides. These are the lights which a Christian must be.
There are many hungry hearts in the world today, sick of sin and longing for peace, to be free of darkness, but they do not read the Bible. They watch our lives and listen to our testimony. What are we showing them? What reflection do they see? Every sin, every bit of carnality will mar our reflection of Christ and reveal Him to the world as an imperfect Saviour.
"Trim your feeble lamp my brother.
Some poor sailor tempest tossed,
trying now to make the harbour,
in the darkness may be lost." (Philip P. Bliss)
Frank Eidse
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