We’ve entered 2010 already! Sounds futuristic doesn’t it? The future is here. Have you made a significant Christian resolution for your new year, your new life? I encourage you to consider committing to this one: I resolve to follow Christ and walk in His light in 2010. I’ve named it Light Year 2010. It’s especially smart when you consider the alternatives – living in the dark or the shadowland of uncertainty. A Christian can say, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” God’s Son, Jesus, said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The Bible illuminates God’s own nature this way: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:16,17)
What does it mean to follow Jesus, never walk in darkness and have the light of life as Jesus said? Let’s focus on the “light” and get lit up. Paul the Apostle had a lightning bolt experience of conversion to Christ that lit up his life and sent high-beam truths to us even to this very hour. Speaking to Christians, he said, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10) How do you know if you’re really living the light of Jesus? Look for the three fruits of light:
- Goodness! Goodness is Christ in ACTION in us. His goodness is reflected through us. This is amazing since the Scripture so accurately describes man’s sinful nature as up to no good. But in Christ we receive God’s goodness and radiate Him. How? Good, godly thoughts. Good, healthy emotions. Good, uplifting words. Good, life-giving actions in Jesus’ name. As David said, “Trust in the Lord and do good.” (Psalm 37:3) The battle of good and evil still rages today in us all. Victory comes only as we “walk in the light of Jesus”.
- Righteousness! Righteousness is our POWER from God through Christ. He enables us to get right in a world of wrong, live right and stay right. Once again our own self-righteousness is as impotent as a twice-dead battery. A Christian lives in and radiates the righteousness that Christ implants in us through our faith in Him as personal Saviour. Here’s how righteous power works: Christ enlightens right thinking that produces the right attitude that produces the right actions. This is how we shine! We come shining through in our thinking, attitude and actions.
- Truth! Truth is God OVERPOWERING untruth and enabling us to be overcomers. Truth is what God says is true through His son Jesus Christ. It’s been well said, “If there’s no God, nothing matters. If there is a God, nothing else matters.” Nothing is so defeating as living in the darkness of deception. Jesus dispelled darkness, He lit us up and made us look up by saying, “I am the light of world…I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me…You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:12, 14:6; 8:32) Christ’s light comes shining through us daily as we “walk in the light of truth” – overcoming the lies of life that lie all around us.
Jesus said that He was the light of the world – but then He also said to His followers: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put in on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Let’s come shining through in goodness, righteousness and truth in 2010.
Love in Christ, Chuck
P.S.: Share your “LIGHT” story? Let me hear from you.