Turn On the Light

 Isaiah 9:2, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

 

I love the Christmas Season more than any other time of the year. It's the only time of the year when some people try to act like they should always act. Of course, not everyone gets the "holiday spirit". Some people want to be hateful and obnoxious no matter the time of year. But many people are transformed just a little at this time of the year. Most of them get a little more courteous and patient and allow their "better side," if there is such a thing, to shine forth.

 

At this time of year, the world, in our culture, comes alive more. We see colorful light displays on many homes, the season's music fills the air, and the hearts of men are lifted with anticipation of celebrating some holidays with family and friends. Parties are everywhere. Special feasts are planned.

 

In short, a whole different feeling comes over the land for a while until the holidays are past, and we fall back into our daily routine once more.

 

As I considered all of this, I was reminded that we only have this season because of Jesus. I know this is often said in a trite little saying, "Jesus is the reason for the season," that's true, but let us not just say it and forget it. We need to take this occasion to celebrate and spread the news of the birth of Jesus.

 

It's only because God robed himself in flesh, came down to us, and gave himself for us that we have the desire and the will to give gifts to other people. Only because of the Risen Savior who grants us eternal life can we celebrate that eternal life in the symbol of an evergreen tree. Only because of the Light of the gospel can we give true meaning to the lights strung everywhere.

 

The lights, the cheerful hearts, and the season's joy are beautiful. Still, I want us to remember that, amid all the colored lights, parties, and celebrating, most of those caught up in the festivities do not know the Lord as their Savior. They are still walking in the gross darkness of sin.

 

We can light up the exterior, but only Jesus can illuminate the heart. The wonderful thing is that when Jesus lights up your heart and soul, everything seems brighter outside. The world is brighter, the way is clearer, and the understanding is enlightened, and you can walk in a whole new awareness of what God is doing in the earth and in the hearts of men. That's the result of that spiritual light that only Jesus can give.

 

People can celebrate by eating a turkey feast and dressing with all the trimmings. Still, unless they feast upon the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill their souls, they will die in their sins.

 

People can drink themselves into an alcoholic stupor so that they can forget their troubles and feel the euphoria of a few moments of peace. Still, they will never truly know peace unless they drink the water of life and allow the Love of God to flood their souls.

 

People can laugh at jokes, sing happy songs, and enjoy the company of family and friends; they really can't know true Joy without the joy of first knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 

There is simply no greater peace, joy, or happiness than knowing that all is well with your soul. When your sins are forgiven, and you have surrendered your life to Christ, you can experience that "great light" that Isaiah spoke of.

 

Is the light switched on in your heart and soul today? Do you know Jesus as the Light of your Soul and the Light of your life? Then, thank God you know the true reason for all the celebrating and the joy of this holiday season.

 

Isaiah 60:1-3, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."

 

Arise and shine – that is what my grandma used to say to me when it was time to get up. I didn't know that she was quoting scripture.

 

As Christians, we should take the opportunity of the season ahead to rise out of lethargy, spiritual slumber, and our daily routine and take our witness of Christ to a new level. Jesus will give us untold numbers of opportunities to pray, to witness, to show love, and to really tell the world about Him. What a great time to allow our "light" to shine and to show people the "True Light."

 

While gross darkness of sin and evil reign over the whole of humanity and the world, we are blessed people because we have the "Light of the world" in us, and with the presence of the Holy Ghost in us, we have become the "light of the world."

 

Matthew 5:13-16, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

 

If Jesus is in you, the whole world should be able to see that light. Even though Jesus is the "Bright and morning star" and "the great light," many Christians just don't reflect His light very brightly. The amount of light that shines from us is directly relative to the closeness of our relationship with Jesus on a personal level.

 

The good news is that it doesn't take much light to dispel the darkness. If you are saved, and the light of God is shining in you, even if you aren't where you should be with the Lord, there will be some light in your life.

 

How do I know that's true? Have you ever seen a worldly Christian whose light is dim because of his speech or how he behaves around others? That man or woman has a dim light because their relationship with Jesus is weak. Yet when they get around people who don't know Jesus at all and who are still in the gross darkness of sin, those sinners will know that there's something different about that weak Christian. Something about them will make them uneasy.

 

Quite often, this uneasiness results in either the sinners shying away from the worldly Christian, or else they will develop an attitude of contempt for him because he is not a part of their crowd and yet won't stand up for his own beliefs.

 

No matter how it goes, it's all a result of that dim light of the Lord in his heart that causes it.

 

You may as well let your light shine brightly and live for the Lord with all your heart; get completely sold out to Jesus because the world doesn't accept you either way, and you can enjoy being a Christian instead of walking the fence.

 

Salt has the power to flavor whatever it touches. It has the power to preserve food. It has the power to make a difference in the world where it is used. Even salt that is losing its flavor still has some effect. That effect doesn't just stop at a moment's notice. It keeps going and going. It may grow weaker over time and eventually become unusable as a seasoning.

 

That's the way your walk with the Lord is, too. Even when you are on your way backward, allowing the devil to drag you back into that life of sin, your life is still able to touch other people.

 

I've seen Christians who were getting close to a backslidden condition influence a lost person to go to church with them. That lost person then would get saved while their Christian witness friend finally backslid. The dim light of that worldly Christian was still bright enough to lead someone to Christ. The saved sinner came to the "great light," and God received the glory for his salvation despite the weak Christian.

 

I think of some Christians as "Cell Phone Christians." Most of you have a cell phone. Sometimes, you have a crystal clear connection, and at other times, you can barely understand what's being said; there are times when there's no connection because we are out of range of the tower.

 

That's the way that we are, too. Sometimes, we are so close to God that our light shines bright. Then there are times when we allow the cares of life to separate us from our prayer life, from studying the Word, from going to church, and from hearing the voice of the Lord, and light grows dim. Then, sometimes, we lose contact with the Lord because we have strayed too far into sin, and that's when the light can go out entirely.

 

All of us are in one of those three conditions. How bright is your light right now? Are you shining forth in the brightness that Jesus wants you to? Is there something there that is blocking that light from coming forth? Have clouds of sin, disobedience, lethargy, and neglect come between you and your source of light? Have those clouds become storm clouds that eclipse the Light of God so that you no longer shine? We need to remove the clouds and shine brightly once again.

 

First, we must remain plugged into the power source of our light and life. The power is not in us without Jesus. He is the only source of light and power in your life. You can't generate it yourself. It must come from the Lord and the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

 

Secondly, if you are connected to that power source in Jesus, flip on the switch and let your light shine so the world knows you belong to Him.

 

Perhaps someone reading this does not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Maybe you are still groping in the darkness of sin, trying to find your way but stumbling over every obstacle in life and falling flat on your face all the time. Have you wondered why you can't answer your questions correctly? Have you wondered why life seems to knock you down at every turn? Have you tried to find a meaning for your life, and there doesn't seem to be any? Have you tripped over things in your life that you didn't see in your path? Have you considered your life and wondered, "Is there a better way?"

 

My friend, you need to get connected, turn on the switch, and let the light of God shine in your heart. Jesus can give it all meaning. He can show you the path. He can provide you peace, joy, and happiness like you've never known. Most importantly, He will give you eternal life and lift you out of the darkness of sin.

 

Those who refuse to accept the light Jesus offers will burn for eternity in the gross darkness of the lake of fire.

 

Those who accept His light right now will walk in the brightness of His Light for eternity.