When you flip a light switch to the on position you expect light from a bulb in a fixture. We are that bulb. We are to be that light. Jesus himself said so. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14)
We have been given the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, which is the Good News of his birth, death and resurrection. And “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” (Romans 1:5)
We have been given the electrical circuit of the Gospel, the authority to hit the button to release his power in our lives, and the ability to shine.
But often we don’t. Why? Can we, like Paul, boast “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, Jesus”? Or do we reflect a sense of shame by our actions and words? What keeps us from claiming the authority of the Lord over our circumstances and walking in the power that the Gospel supplies us? Do we light the world or tend to hide in the darkness?
Maybe you would like to scream out “I want to proclaim the Gospel but I feel inadequate.” Or perhaps “I want that power and authority over the circumstances in my life but I know that is not possible.” Do you shamefully say “I am no where to being a light in this world because I am not able to overcome my weaknesses?”
I think I know what our problem is. Let’s read Romans 1:17
“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
You can have an electrical circuit, and a power switch, and a light bulb, but if you don’t have a generator to create the electricity than those items are useless. The scripture states “from start to finish” it’s faith. And the word here indicates that it means faithful living. When we live outside of God’s principals and standards we shutdown the generator, causing us to lose our power and living in darkness. The good news is you can reclaim those things by simply committing yourself to living a righteous lifestyle.
Turn your generator on this morning. Repent and turn from any thing that separates you from God. Live in the authority He intended for you to live in and shine in every corner of a darkened world.
