As we continue our study on Jesus being the light, our Bible Journaling verse today is John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus unto them saying, ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” (KJV) When we think of light, the first thing we think of is how light illuminates, it shows hidden things, it drives out darkness, it exposes things not seen in the dark.
Spiritually, when we come to ask Jesus to be our Savior, He exposes our sin. We know we are imperfect against His perfection. We are walking in darkness. Once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He shines His light in us. We become the vessel for His light to shine through. Jesus also says that when we follow Him, we will walk in the light. Jesus illuminates the pathway He has prepared for us. As we walk with Jesus and bask in His light, He also wants us to be a light to others around us. We are to be the vessel through which His light shines so that others will see and be drawn to Him.
I don’t often start a conversation with someone about Jesus. I’ve witnessed to people when the conversation turned to “religion” and then had the opportunity to share with them how Jesus has affected my life. I knew someone who was kind of the “in your face” type of person when they were witnessing. It was offensive to a lot of people. It made them want to avoid that person. I tend to witness by the way I live my life. I want to reflect that light that Jesus is shining in me. I want people to see that there is something different in me and ask me what it is that makes me different. I am currently in discussions periodically with a friend I’ve known for many years who doesn’t want to hear anything about God. He once let me know in no uncertain terms that he was offended by the fact that I was a Christian. The funny thing about it is, I had not said anything to him about being a Believer, yet he knew I was. When he sees me share something on Facebook about Jesus, he will usually make a comment and then we will have a thread that will go back and forth for several posts. I keep praying he will come to know Jesus, and that something I have said or shared will hit him in a way that he finally comes to know the peace, joy, love, and eternal life I’ve found by asking Jesus to be my Savior.
When we reflect the light of Jesus in our lives, those who are unbelievers, walking in the darkness of sin, notice it. They see the peace Jesus gives. They see the steadfastness we have even in difficult circumstances. They see not just happiness, but true joy in our lives. I Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (ESV) When we allow Jesus to shine through us and we reflect His light, people will notice. Jesus also told us that our lives should be such that others see Jesus so that He is given glory. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)
Reflecting the light of Jesus in our lives gives Him glory. He is given the honor He is due, and it gives Him an opportunity to speak to the lives of those around us through the reflection of His light in us. We are the vessel through which He shines. We need to be intentional about allowing His light to shine through us. Today, be the light in someone’s life that will draw them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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