Let your light be diffused

by Johan du Preez
(Roodepoort, South Africa)

Tonight’s teaching is on letting your light shine and be diffused

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

God created light, for He knew that in darkness man will:
1. stumble and fall,
2. suffer from severe mental illness and psychosis
3. Suffer from a lack of Vitamin D
4. Emotional depression
5. Adverse effects on the eyes and eyesight
6. “Such a tension it seems there certainly is, whilst we are involved in darkness; for in such a state, whilst the eye remains open, there is a continual nisus to receive light; this is manifest from the flashes and luminous appearances which often seem in these circumstances to play before it; and which can be nothing but the effect of spasms, produced by its own efforts in pursuit of its object: several other strong impulses will produce the idea of light in the eye, besides the substance of light itself, as we experience on many occasions.” - bottomline – your eyes literally go into spasm!

God therefore spoke light into being, assisting us in our daily lives and keeping us happy and healthy

In the same way we find that Christians’ light (in the new Testament) keeps people sane, happy and healthy…..

Matthew 5.16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

“You are,” says Christ, “the light of the world; a city set upon a hill cannot be hidden.-Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to all that are in the house.”

True Christians, placed in different nations, families, towns, and streets, diffuse the light of divine truth
True light, is diffused by each of our abilities, talents, good works and LOVE.
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All Christians are “lights in the world;” and we - who profess Christianity - are to act consistently with our professed faith.
Paul addresses the Philippians : “Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine, as lights in the world; …………..”

Peter uses language to the same effect; “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him, who have called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

You see, God makes man His instruments in communicating the light of the gospel;
His purpose is to use us to bring our neighbours and friends to the knowledge of God; the gospel of salvation; the way of peace and piety.

In order to accomplish this we have to make an explicit profession of our faith; that it may be understood what we believe, on what foundation our hopes are built, and what we think concerning the redemption of Christ.

This profession is demanded of Christ’s disciples, in order that they may “let their light shine before men,” and diffuse the knowledge of divine truth in the world; without yielding to the dread of shame, reproach or persecution.
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OK, That’s a mouthful… so…HOW???
I’ve just picked 5 of the list of many and these are by no means the most important….

1. Attend Church –

Why ?? Because Google does not have all the answers!!!
Regularly attend your place of worship. In doing this, not only hearing the sermons and teachings, but joining in every part of the service and associating with those who hold and adorn the same principles, the Christian will make a very distinct profession of faith.

In bringing his family and others whom he can influence, to attend, he may “let his light shine before men,”
Also embrace opportunities of attending church and take delight in the worship of God, and in hearing his word. Such conduct tends to draw men’s attention to the gospel, and to promote vital godliness in this world.

2. Hold your tongue

“the tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison:-it is a fire, a world of iniquity;-it sets on fire the whole course of nature,
The gift of speech, when abused, is the grand instrument in the propagation of atheism, infidelity, impiety, blasphemy, heresy, licentiousness, discord, and every other evil, all over the earth.

Yet this same gift, under the influence of God’s love , is also instrumental in diffusing the light of the gospel
“life and death are in the power of the tongue;” “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
The words of Christians should be “seasoned with salt,” being pure, pious, and affectionate.

3. Use your little circle

Sure, it is difficult to do this, but every man has a little circle, in which he may speak, with freedom on the great concerns of salvation. Most people have relatives, and many have families, among whom they are free to communicate the knowledge of the gospel and the Good News.

There are also seasons, in which almost any one will endure affliction or death.
Some opening will be found for a serious remark, which the hearers may afterwards recollect and reflect on… even if no opportunity was created for further conversation.

Sure, you might be subjected to “dirty looks”, snide remarks or even ridicule, but the fear of man should not stop us from following the example of Christ.

4. Walk the talk

There are many vain talkers, who disregard their duties in terms of showing LOVE to neighbours and God, rather disputing doctrines and “higher thinking” while the truth has little sanctifying effect upon their own hearts.

Rather ask wisdom of God, and be careful that our walk with God and fellow man be consistent behaviour in all respects. This is especially the way to “let our light shine before men.”
Lax morality should not be used as an excuse…
Integrity, sincerity, punctuality and moderation – all traits which Christians should display in their daily lives

Our conversations should be without covetousness;” and nothing ambiguous or suspicious should be observable in any of our dealings….. Yes that Ferrari is nice, but would it really make you happy (and if so, for how long?)

Keep at a distance from meddling in other people’s affairs; from slander and discord; and from every word and action, which may hurt or offend.

5. Use a little kindness

Kindness and compassion are recommendations of the gospel. God demands a loving spirit.
Our tempers should be associated with gentleness, a readiness to forgive repeatedly and persevering to “overcome evil with good”.

Patience, cheerful contentment and JOY, which will also excite others.
When you walk around with a smile on your face all day, others will start wondering what makes you so happy…. And hopefully also want it for themselves…

Too many times we ask the question: How are you??
And the person responds “FINE” …………………and that leaves you to wonder “well, why didn’t you tell your face???”
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SO, on a more serious note : WHERE:? Where should our lights shine?
Our light should shine before men, and not at a distance …..
Jesus, as the perfect example, did not come to earth for the holy and righteous ….. he sat, spoke and ate with sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes….. Not at a distance, but with them.

He loves all people, Jews, Gentiles, Israelites, Samaritans, Japanese and Eskimos…..ALL
Christians are to teach every man how to diligently glorify God – and that means that we have to go out there………
Now, I’m not saying all of us are to give up our day jobs and go on mission work, but we can start in our own little circle….

AND THEN?
When this is done, the number of real Christians will be multiplied, the light of life will be more widely diffused; and the grain of mustard-seed will become a large plant.

At the beginning of this lesson I used the word “diffused” on purpose….
Jesus Christ, the Light of the world; shines with a peculiar lustre and reflects God’s light perfectly … As He is also perfect…

Our “surfaces” are a bit rough though and we therefore “diffuse the light in different directions, but that should not stop us from reflecting that beautiful, exciting and saving light of our Saviour, Lord and Master.
And, as we become more and more like Him, we will also reflect the light more perfectly…..

We are however not to be like lamps put under a bushel: but it is the Lord’s will, that we should resemble candles placed on candlesticks in the midst of a room, to give light to every part of it.
Therefore “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Amen.