They believe that simply believing in Jesus is all they need in life. However, the Bible presents a different picture.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
Recently, this verse came to life for me. It all started with a pretty painful foot injury. Although the surgery was minor, the shooting aches from my toes up to my ankles rendered me hardly able to walk. Even the slightest bump on my foot was enough to send me into pure hysterics. With a home full of children, toys, and furniture, walking without getting hurt would soon become the primary focus of concern. Every move counted. After a few days of pain, I quickly noticed that the danger of getting hurt mattered the most in the night while taking care of my infant. Terrified of bumping my injured foot, I started to use the light from my cellphone to light the path. In the darkness, I needed the light to know which direction to place my feet. Without the light, I could’ve easily fallen victim to tripping, stepping on a dreaded Lego piece, or stubbing my toes. The light was crucial.
And on night three, I heard the still, small voice whisper a verse that I hadn’t considered in years:
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
Whenever I had considered this verse in the past, I imagined a person with a lantern walking through dark mystical woods. Perhaps this person was afraid of stumbling on a tree branch or wary of animals that could be lurking in the dark. They needed the lantern to light their path just enough to not find themselves in a world of danger. Yet, for me, I needed the light for every single step.
In this verse, God’s Word is the light that is needed to guide our paths. The truth is that we live in a world that is full of darkness.
A world where selfishness, greed, and immorality are applauded.
A world that celebrates evil and condemns purity.
A world that braces itself for the next greatest scandal inside and outside of the Church.
A world where people trust in Google more than God.
This dark world is in desperate need of God’s light to direct them. So much so, that Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV
There are three crucial aspects about God’s light we should consider:
1. We Are Called to Be a Light
Not only is Jesus called the Light of the World, but He also implores us to be a light to the world. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to break down the fundamentals of what it means to follow Christ. Nestled into his conversation about being blessed, giving to the needy, angry, and sexually immoral, Jesus implores his listeners to shine God’s light to the world:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16
In other words, those who are followers of Christ shouldn’t be ashamed of this identity. Instead, they should be like a town on a hill full of vibrancy that everyone could look up to with amazement. True followers should bring love, joy, and hope to everyone they encounter. By truly reflecting God’s character through our good actions, we bring glory to God. So, we have the opportunity to make our lives a shining example of God’s light in the world of darkness. This means that our actions, lifestyle, and character can be what guides another person closer to God. What a privilege we have to be carriers of God’s light!
2. God’s Light Exposes
One aspect of the light described in the Bible is that it exposes. Naturally speaking, we know that the usage of a flashlight can brighten a darkened room. Things that normally could be stumbled upon or go unnoticed are no match for a good source of light. When light is exposed to darkness, nothing can be hidden.
“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.”Luke 8:17
In this passage, Jesus reminds His listeners that nothing can be hidden from God. Even more so, He reminds us that there will come a day when everyone will be accountable for their own actions. Through the Holy Spirit, God also exposes what is secretly in our hearts and areas that haven’t been sanctified. This happens when we feel convicted by the Holy Spirit to make a change in an area. Although it may feel uncomfortable, when God exposes darkness or sin, it is to bring about restoration. I have found that the closer I get to God the more He challenges me to get rid of anything that is causing me to stumble. This is a true act of love from the Father to us and causes us to truly ask if we want to follow God or the world.
3. We Are Called to Walk in Light, Not Darkness
Those who claim to be followers of a perfect God should live a life that seeks righteousness. Yet, this is not always the case. Many Christians proudly proclaim Christ with their words but deny Him with their lifestyle. In doing so, they lie, gossip, practice sexual immorality, are greedy, and use God’s gift of grace as their rationale for sinning. They believe that simply believing in Jesus is all they need in life. However, the Bible presents a different picture.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 1 John1:5-6
The Bible makes it clear that if you claim to walk in God’s light (truth) but live a life of darkness, you are being dishonest. We cannot truly follow God and the world. These two ways of living are in complete opposition.
“No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” 1 John 3:6
This passage is a reminder that if we claim to love Jesus we shouldn’t continue to sin freely. Will we be perfect? No! Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient to cover us when we stumble. However, we should have a repentant heart when we realize that we have done wrong. Those who habitually sin with no regard, according to the Bible, are not in true fellowship with Jesus. The true beauty of God’s light is that He will expose areas that need to be corrected.
May we choose to seek God’s direction in every moment of our lives so that we will reflect Him well.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Jeremy Bishop
