Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill (as Jerusalem is) cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel (fruit basket), but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
To “fight the good fight…” implies a certain degree of well being. It is very difficult, if not impossible to fight anything when not in health, or to be salt or light for that matter. Therefore our goal through these devotions is to encourage spiritual health, which as a result often brings us emotional and physical health as well. However, as a Christian body I have concern that we are not healthy. Too many of us do not have regular times of Bible study and consequently our witness or testimony falters. Let’s be clear though, we do not read the Bible to be a good witness. We read the Bible and spend time in prayer so that we grow in intimacy with our Heavenly Father; seeking to be a faithful son or daughter. The effect of that results in my witness or my “light.”
To be “Light” than, is to literally overpower the darkness, as in turning on the light in a dark room. This can only happen if our relationship to God is number one. The scriptures call it “your first love” as in foremost. Without this commitment it is so easy to live in the “shadows of faith” where we prioritize other activities before Him. Giving God our “leftovers” rather than the best of ourselves. It is so easy to do if purposeful attention is not given. If being busy is all it takes to keep us out of fellowship with The Lord, than say hello to a busy life. For the enemy of your faith will see to it that you stay very, very busy.
Sometimes it is not a busy life that keeps us from Him, but a coveted sin that we want to hang on to. When God asks you or me to surrender that desire or burden over to Him and we say no, we can begin to grieve the Holy Spirit even to the point that we break fellowship with Him. Thus diminishing our witness, potentially hurting many of our relationships, and especially with Him. When you place grey against black, the black does not seem so dark. However, if you place a sheet of white paper against the black the contrast is dramatic. The Bible calls this life in the grey as lukewarm. A mix of cold and hot, or the acceptance of worldly values causing us to remain out of fellowship with Him. To continue in this state carries with it a warning. A warning that radically changed my life, Revelations 3:15,16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert (wish) cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew (spit) thee out of my mouth.” As in when you taste something that has spoiled, we spit it out – same implications. What causes this condition? “Because thou sayest I am rich, (no need of God) and increased with goods (needs met) and have need of nothing (fully satisfied); but from God’s perspective “… and knowest not that thou art suffering and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked:”
The great thing with the Lord is He doesn’t leave us here….” but I counsel thee (meaning to invite us to himself) to buy of me gold tried in the fire (truth tested and found substantial to support life in the Spirit) that thou mayest be (truly) rich, and white raiment, (forgiven and indwelt with the Spirit) that thou mayest be clothed….As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore (obedience with a passion) and repent Revelations 3:18,19. I read these verses as a young man and it turned me upside down. I knew I was in error living a compromised life. There are always two views. My view- “I’m not perfect but not as bad as others” (an excuse we give ourselves), and God’s view, “I need help and I need it now!”
So to fight the good fight, the fight starts here, within myself. We need to stop giving our time to be with The Lord to things that do not produce righteousness in us. Be it T.V., the computer, sports, news, even church programs can all become idols when we put them before our time with God. Until we learn to put God first, stop giving ourselves excuses, and giving in to endless worries, we will flounder in our faith. Compromising the very soul Christ’s died to set free. “Christ likeness” is an inward to outward change that only comes through obedience. With obedience becoming my hearts desire, being salt and light comes naturally – just like apples on an apple tree. There is no effort to produce the apple, the apple comes naturally. The effort remains with my will and being in obedience to His will. The by product, “the shine or light” is a result of that obedience. The quiet approval of God over my life, that inner knowing that all is well between my Father and I is worth whatever sacrifices or changes I need to make. To know that He is my home is a treasure that no one can take from me.
Father God,
Give us ears to hear and a will to obey. Help us to clearly see that our priority needs to be You first. To put anything else before our relationship with you is like building our house (life) on the sand. Why expend all my energy for something that will not stand. Please Father give us hearts that are quick to surrender that which You ask, and quick to repent when You shine your Holy light on us.
Thank you and Amen
Move forward in His Grace – Arthur