John Wesley once said, “Your holiness makes you as conspicuous as the sun in the sky. You cannot hide your Christian character. Love cannot be hidden any more than can light. Least of all, it cannot be hidden when it shines forth in action. When you exercise yourself in a labor of love, in any kind of good work, you are observed. We may as well try to hide a city as to hide a Christian. It is the purpose of God that every Christian should be in open view. We are to give light to all that are in the house.” (Source: Sermon, “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount: Discourse IV”)
This is certainly true about the Christians in India. They bring light into the darkness around them. Dark and light can’t coexist. In fact, the darker the dark (and it is very dark in India), the brighter the light shines! Those who live for Jesus and reflect His glory are easy to spot. Some are attracted to the light and become lights themselves as they follow Jesus. But others hate the light because it points out their sins and failures. So they try to extinguish it. Like insects which scatter when the rock they are under is removed, so many who reject Jesus as the Light flee from any Gospel witness that comes to their area. Whether they are ignored, opposed or followed, Christians anywhere who live for Jesus will be noticed.
As the spiritual climate gets darker and darker and darker in the USA, the same will happen to us. When we let our lights shine some will be attracted and come to Jesus. Large numbers will flee, and others will oppose the light any way they can. It’s our duty to stand, to let our lights shine clearly no matter the response. It’s not a time to compromise or hide our beliefs. We have the privilege of living in a special time in history and, along with the Christians in India, let our lights shine brightly wherever we are and whatever we do.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
When is it hardest for you to let your light shine? What can you do to have your light shine even brighter to those around you?
INDIA UPDATE: My latest book, “Lessons in Leadership from the Bible,” has been translated and is now ready for printing. They will print 1,000 English copies (120 pages per book) and 5,000 Telugu copies (140 pages per book). I need to send them $6,200 for the translation and printing. That is a excellent price compared to what it would cost to do that here, but still a lot of money for this small mission. Pray God would work in the hearts of those He would have contribute to this important ministry. Pray God would protect and use all the books we’ve printed for His glory.
PRAY FOR an elderly pastor we have been working with in India for years and who pastors as well as helping with water wells. He fell from his bike a week ago and injured his hands and legs. He is receiving treatment for his injuries. His wife, who was on the bike with him, was also injured but not as bad. Pray for them to heal quickly.
Pray also for Pastor Moses as he plans our 2018 conferences. We have our plane tickets. Pray for wisdom and guidance as Pastor Moses plans where we should go.
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization
india.christiantrainingonline.org/