Holding forth light

6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John 1:6)

Thoughts: John the Baptist is a great example for us.  He never claimed glory or honor.  He always gave the honor and glory to God.  Out job is to say, as John the Baptist did, "He must increase and I must decrease."  We are to point to the light. All the lights on the Christmas trees coming down now- (liturgically they should be up til 1/6 but practical Americans take them down before 1/1) point to Jesus the light of the world.  We are to reflect His light.
     One of the dangers of our time is to say there is no light.  If we all remain in the dark then no one is differentiated from one another.  But this is nonsensical.  Should we seek to be in the dark together in order to not offend someone who chooses darkness over light?  There are people who sin- and sin on purpose.  Should we never say that they do wrong, in order to not offend them?  To help someone who does wrong, we should point out their weakness and offer them a hand out if possible.  John the Baptist was fearless and did not care what happened to him nor that he would get any kind of award.  He pointed to the light.  Doubtless this offended the Romans and Herodians.  He lost his head really because he pointed out it was wrong for Herod to marry his brother's wife- stealing her from him.  In our day, the milk-toast religious folks refuse to say anyone does wrong.  In the name of tolerance the light is growing dim.  Witnessing to the light means taking a stand for what is right and pointing out things like sexual immorality- including adultery and fornication- however prominent and sung about as "right" is indeed "wrong."  When light shines, those who are used to the dark squint and their eyes are made uncomfortable.  But to never turn on the light means losing our vision.  Today you can go to some cave in North Carolina and Tennessee that have blind fish in them because the fish have never seen the light and lose their sight.  Hold forth the light- even if some complain that it makes them feel bad!  

Prayer: Lord, May your light shine in me and through me.  Keep me from shrinking back or dimming your light in order to make people feel comfortable. 

1/21/14- Loving Darkness more than Light

19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But 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.

Thoughts: Jesus describes Himself as the "light of the world" (John 8:12).  We still talk about people who have "seen the light" or have been "enlightened."  What this passage points out is that many refuse to come to the light of Christ because they did not want their evil deeds being exposed next to His wonderful life.  Wrong thinking and wrong behavior can be addicting- to the point where we justify its wrongness.  When we are addicted to evil or wrong then we do not want to be exposed tot he light anymore than a fish who has grown up blind in a cave wishes to come into the light.  Our eyes are designed to see light, and light brings beauty, color, the truth and hope.  But if we are not used to the light the nerves of our eyes become dysfunctional from lack of use. 

 Lightning hitting the statue of Christ over Rio De Janeiro