Be A Light In Darkness

I want us to go to proverbs 6:23

Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life;

Here we see that the law is light, the commandment is the lamp through which the light of law shines. But what is the commandment that gives this light? What was the commandment that Jesus gave us?

Joh 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another.

Joh 13:35 By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.

Later in John 15:10 again Jesus says...

Joh 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Joh 15:11 I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full.

Joh 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Joh 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Paul writes in his letter to the churches in Galatia

Gal 5:14 For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

By following this one commandment, to love one another, we do the good works that Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:16 and those works then become a testimony to God and through the works that we do, we lift up the name of God and glorify Him.

Understand that doing good works do not earn us a place in heaven, that is given to us by grace, we can not work off our sins, that has already been paid for by God, and it’s given to us freely. What our good works do is reflect our love for God, it allows the light of God to shine out through us; it attracts others towards the kingdom.

But we need to realise that it’s not the love for our family and friends that will bring glory to God. It’s the love for those who seek to hurt us. Its only in this way that light can overcome darkness.

Mat 5:43 You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy."

Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you,

Mat 5:45 so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same?

Mat 5:47 And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax-collectors do so?

Mat 5:48 Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

We are not perfect, as man we can never hope to be a reflection of that glorious perfect light. But we can and must continually strive to get brighter and brighter. And we need to shine on others.

We all came out of darkness, we all know how lonely and miserable that place was. We know that it is a cold and empty place. I remember what it was like not to be a Christian. I was always looking for the next fix, the next bit of excitement to liven my life up. But I also remember the times when others came into my life who had the inner joy that came from Jesus. They had peace and love, they had an understanding, a patience and a warmth that is not found in the world. They were lights in my darkness and I still remember them. In my early days as a Christian others, further along the path, shone out as beacons showing the way through times of trouble and storms. I still have far to travel in my walk with Jesus and I look out for those who can light my path.