Ministers Blogs
“Share your light”
Categories: Evangelism, Personal EvangelismTonk Talk by Mark T. Tonkery
Light. It guides us, directs us, and helps us by showing us the way. On a dark night or when the electricity goes off, a flashlight or candle can help us find our way through our dark house or the path we are walking on.
In the Bible, light is described as goodness, righteousness, and everything that God is (1 John 1:5). The Bible also points out that Christianity is identified as light and the world is identified as darkness (John 1:5). Notice, John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again saying I am the light of the world.” He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Light exposes darkness: Darkness is expelled as soon as one turns on a light. Darkness and light cannot occupy the same spot. Therefore, light serves as a guide. Airport runways help planes land at night by having lights placed along them. People can drive their cars at night because they have headlights and there are also streetlights. We know how essential light is in the physical world. The Bible has been telling us all long how essential light is to our spiritual lives as well, it is just as essential as the need for light in the physical world, but even more so.
We as Christians are to point people to the light and guide people who are in darkness to the light. In Mat. 5:14-16, Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The story is told of a little girl who was shivering her way along a main street in one of our great cities. Seeing the beautiful lights of a church building and hearing the singing coming from within, she went in and warmed herself as she listened. The preacher's text was, "I am the light of the world." At the close of the service, she went to the minister and said, "Did you say you are the light of the world, sir?" The minister replied, "No, dear child. Christ is the light of the world, and I am one of the lights." The little girl looked at him for a moment, and then solemnly said, "Well, sir, I wish you would come down and hang out in our alley, 'cause it's awful dark down there!”? (Story taken from—Biblical Research Monthly).
Christians are, indeed, as Christ said, "the light of the world." As one of those lights, are you "hanging out" in some dark alley? Are you sharing your light? Christians are to be lights to shine forth into the darkness of human darkness. We are to set our light upon a hill, not hide it under a bushel or in other words hide that we are Christians. Remember: We are to be "lights" in a dark world (Ph. 2:14-15), so let us share our light and let it shine. Be God's Mark T. Tonkery
