Leave The Light On

Since the mid 1980’s most of us have seen or heard of those famous Motel 6 radio and TV commercials that even to this day we can’t get out of our heads. Do you remember them? It was that familiar voice of their advertising spokesman saying, “I’m Tom Bodett for Motel 6, and we’ll leave the light on for you”. We have heard this slogan so many times but do we really know what it means? Well, sometimes hosts would tell their guests that would be arriving at their home late at night that they would "leave a light on for them" so that they could easily find the right house, especially if they had never been there before. Also, it meant that the house guest would walk into a brightly lit up room instead of trying to navigate in the dark. Basically, "we'll leave the light on for you" is a way of saying, "you're welcome here and we want to make sure you're comfortable."

Well, In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is that symbolic light. He shines brightly for us. Jesus wants us to be comfortable enough to come to Him. The Bible says in John 8:12 ESV 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.” The apostle John wrote in this verse that if we turn away from the wicked ways of this world and give our lives over to Jesus and follow Him, He will transform us and His light will shine through us. In essence, we turn away from the darkness of our former life and want to live in the positive loving light of Christ.

We then read in Matthew 5:14-16, “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. Jesus is the light of the world. He called upon his disciples in the New Testament to be the light unto others as they spread the Gospel all throughout the region. Jesus has continually been doing this for the past 2000+ years.

Now its 2023. Jesus is still calling us, as Christians, to be the light of Christ in our area of influence. Just as a small lamp can give light to a large room, each of us individually can be that beacon of Christ’s light in our homes, workplaces, and in our communities. Furthermore, as we continue to grow and mature in our Christian walk, the light of Christ that dwells within us shines brighter and brighter. In time that light starts to shine so bright that other people can see the light of Christ in us, Christians and non-Christians alike.

Now, as faithful Christians we are commanded by God to be the light of Christ to non-believers in a dark and negative world. It says so in Acts 13:47 ESV For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” If you notice in this Bible verse, it’s not a suggestion, it’s a command for Christians to bring others into God’s saving grace. Finally with all this being said. How do we receive the light of Christ? Where do we begin?

We can receive the light of Christ by:

1. Praying and seeking God's will.

2. Participating in the life and worship of the Christian Church.

3. Reading and studying the Scriptures.

4. Receiving the Lord’s Supper or Communion in church.

5. Opening our hearts up to the Holy Spirit.

So with all of this spiritual knowledge at our disposal; let’s all allow God’s light to shine through us to help bring salvation and healing to a lost, dark, and hurting world. AMEN.