Yes, Let the Light Shine But Brighter Still

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

Jesus asked His disciples who would place a lamp under a basket? Let it shine. However, in this verse in Proverbs, we are told that the path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day, when we shall b…e like Him; co-heirs… sibling saints. Sixty-two years old and I find myself as a child, enjoying the beauty of His eternal light… running together with my dear brothers and sisters; hands held, even as our hearts are held by Him presently.

The light in us? Does it shine more and more each day? Or, do we suffer periods of darkness as a result of our continuance in sin and unwillingness to surrender? I have had periods like that only a distant flickering light was noted deep inside my heart; our filament as it were, and since nothing is uncommon between us, I’m sure that you have too known those darkened days. I remember a time many years ago that I saw a Christian brother whom I hadn’t seen in a number of years. As we caught up, I shared my disdain for the hypocritical church… how self righteous of me! He looked at me and simply said, “Did you know that was your complaint five years ago?”

Was I still born? Certainly the light was not shining brighter and brighter! And that shining should be increasing both inwardly, as we grow to know Christ’s dwelling in us more and more, but also His presence shines brighter still to those who watch us. O, it is so easy to quickly claim the blood of Christ for our sins… we want nothing more than our guilt to fade, but does the fading of our guilt cause our light to burn more brightly? No, certainly not to those whom we have harmed, but did not seek their forgiveness. They observe us, and it may well be many years before they see the light ever brightening in us. It is only as they see the consistent outward working of Christ in us that we can bring a cure to their own possible sin: unforgiveness. Part of that light shining brighter and brighter is that while we are free from the guilt of our sin, we are yet debtor to the consequence and those offended. In Christ, we pray and live and breath and learn that it is the stain of our sin that faded that light, but as we grow in the fruit of the spirit and the harvest period lengthens, there is healing.

Yes, let it be our prayer this day to let the light shine but brighter still; ever burning… in love, grace, humility and peace.

Posted on FACEBOOK, June 28, 2014