The Light that Shines From Within

“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”  - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

When you see or hear the word "light," what comes to mind? Perhaps the sun is the first thing you think of, or maybe some type of electrical fixture. I think you'd agree that these are some fairly obvious choices, among many others.

But, there is another kind of "light," one that is without equal, which I'd like to discuss with you today. Whereas, the sun shines its light down on us from the heavens, this special "light" shines in, and illuminates from our hearts.

Think back to Genesis 1:3 (RSV) when God said, "Let light shine out of darkness," and it was so. However, as incredibly powerful as this was God wasn't quite finished. The best was yet to come when our hearts were given the glorious light of the Gospel!

You might be more familiar with this as the light of the knowledge of God by the way of, or through, Christ. This isn't something that any human being could ever produce or create. It's so far beyond the power and scope of our wisdom and power that would be ridiculous to even consider it.

No, this is something that only the creator of the universe could accomplish; namely, God. And, as he is the maker of the light and creator of the universe, there is no doubt that he is the originator of the Gospel (Genesis 1:4).

Our minds, though wonderful and amazing creations, are by nature unaware and unenlightened.  That is, they are in the same darkened condition that existed before God's directive for light to shine. He, who commanded light to shine at creation, also illuminated our hearts with the Gospel light.

This illumination also extends to the minds of Christians. It provides us with a clear and consistent perspective (1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:12-15). We are enabled to perceive beauty in things, such as: serving God, religion, the Bible, self-control, honesty, truth, and charity, in which we may not have before.

Most importantly, we have been given that "light,"not to hold it within ourselves, but to bring an awareness of the knowledge of God to the masses; that the source of all light is the true God. How wonderful is that!

And, unlike the sun's rays which fade at the day's end, the Gospel light emanates brightly from our hearts (Isaiah 60:20). The illumination provided by the One who created all light, and it is available freely to all who have in interest in God's salvation by Christ (John 1:4).

Scripture: Matthew 5:14; Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 5:14; Psalm 36:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You always light my paths, and may Your love always radiate from my heart to others, amen.

Bless you,

Brielle