We Are the Reflected Light of God

That glistens clean and true,
I want to show forth Jesus
In everything I do.
I don't like smoky lamps, Lord,
Or candles dim and slow;
I don't like flickering, hazy lights
That do not shine and glow.
Thou hast told me in Thy Word,
To let my light so shine,
That those who look into my face
Will know that I am Thine.

Light removes darkness. Reveals danger. Shows path. These things are expected on Christian influence in the world. When you look at something in the dark, it does not look so bad. In (John 8:12) Jesus says, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. We are reflected light. Sun is the source of light and the moon reflects light from the sun to the earth. Jesus is our source of light and we are to reflect that light to others.

Our lives are to reflect the mind and will of God! (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8-9)

This is why Jesus tells us to follow Him, and why we are told to be holy, and why we are told to do His will and obey His commandments. We are the Jesus that people will see. They will base their thoughts about Jesus by the way that we conduct ourselves, or what kind of light we reflect. (John 14:15)

If we understand that we are reflected light, then it helps us to see why we need to conduct ourselves as Christ’s followers. Also the further that we get away from the source of light, the dimmer our reflection will be. Understanding that we are reflected light should help us to understand why we need to diligently work to stay near to Jesus. (Philippians 2:12)

Matthew 5:15 tells us that it is the duty of the church to stand out, not for prominence sake but for the spreading of the gospel, for light into a dark world. Jesus proceeded here to show his hearers why they were given the opportunity to hear and participate of the Gospel. It was not because of their place of birth, or because of the way that they looked! God was blessing them with the gospel so that they could be a blessing to others.

According to Pastor Rick Warren, there are two basic reasons people don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior: (1) they have never met a Christian; and (2) they have met a Christian. Christian influence is no small matter.

The proper motive to influence us is not simply that we may be seen, but that our heavenly Father may be glorified. Our light should be a light that is reflected from Jesus, back to Jesus. People need to know that we do what we do for the glory of God!

If the last point was not added, then it would seem that we are to be self-serving, self-glorifying, but our works are not to our own credit, but for God. God’s people are the best. Jesus knew the people’s imperfections when He said, that we are the light of the world.

Scripture: John 8:12; 1 John 1:7; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 27:1; John 12:35; Luke 11:34; John 12:36; John 9:5

Prayer: Father in Heaven, You made me Your child and called me to walk in the Light of Christ. Free me from darkness and keep me in the Light of Your Truth. The Light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to that Light, I ask for Your guidance. Form my life in Your Truth, my heart in Your Love. Through the Holy Spirit, give me the power of Your Grace that I may walk in the Light of Jesus and serve Him faithfully. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Whitney