I have found that when I accept Jesus and all His rich gifts, I have a sense of lightness in my being, because I have repented and had my sin burden taken away by absolute undeserved grace. Jesus has told us that He is the light of the world, and this is true for me personally; because He not only brings light into my heart and sensibilities, but lights my thoughts, purpose and pathway through each day. It is only each of us individually who can deprive ourselves of the Source of light. This light of Jesus never goes out and is always available for a person to accept the offer of light and then tap into the source, Jesus Christ Himself. Another good message from Jesus is that no matter how much we have wandered away or rejected Him; when we truly seek with a true undivided heart, He always answers our search and call. I and everyone can learn from Paul the mighty worker for God, who, when once committed never departed from Jesus or grew cold, 2 Corinthians 4: 5, 6 “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
It is very easy however for most of us to move away from fully following Jesus and not always realize that we are then in dimmed or reflected light. Mark 4: 19 “And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” I have been guilty of this behaviour far too many times. But I am so thankful, for the impressions of the Holy Spirit, when leading me into recognition of my need for forgiveness and change.
As a person who likes to be busy and to prepare food, the next texts resonate with me, and I endeavour to learn from them. Luke 11: 41, 42 “And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’”
Oh how I have learned to love the Scriptures and all they contain on every aspect of knowing God, such as how I can have salvation, how I should live as a person who loves God, and the real prospect for the faithful, of eternal life. The apostle John, the last disciple to die, wrote loving words of instruction in 1 John 2: 15 – 17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
There is no point to being a light if it is not seen by others and when they come near, it is available to shed light on their way also. This is the way God has asked us to be with the light we receive through Jesus. Matthew 5: 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Sometimes it is hard to show the light of our love and loyalty to Jesus, such as when in the company of unbelievers, the antagonistic or for some places, when confronted by an official representing the prohibitive laws of the land. It is so easy to allow self-focus and fear or pride sweep over us so we go on and deny Jesus and lose the opportunity to bring glory to our Saviour who gave all, and suffered much, unto death; not for Himself, but for mankind, which includes me.
Dear Father, Thank You allowing Your Son to come to earth as our once for all time, Saviour and all-time Light. Through Your Spirit, keep before me, the privilege it is, to know about and have had the opportunity of being lighted by the love of Jesus and to walk in His light daily, if I so choose; which I do again today. I also ask that I will not forget the inevitability of my choices , which I find outlined in, Luke 12: 8, 9 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” For my strength, I take and believe the following promise, V12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you ought to say,” Amen