In Revelation, we are given a picture of the church as a lampstand. The church radiates the light of God, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the light of the world, His light gives life to men, and we shine the light of His life on earth. Revelation also describes how, when the Lord returns, there will be no need for the sun because God Himself willl be light for the city. The church is meant to hold and radiate the light of God – His life, His holiness and His passion. She is illuminated by the light of God, she radiates this light, and she brings others into the light and life of God.
LIVING IN THE LIGHT
As children of God and as the church of Christ, we are called to walk in His light. God’s light is His ways, and His ways are life. Nothing is hidden from Him, and in Him all darkness is extinguished. We are vulnerable in our surrender, yet fully protected because the love of God clothes us. Ephesians 5:8-10 says,
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Living in God’s light means:
- We surrender and give our lives to Him (we separate ourselves from darkness/sin)
- We pursue His ways (His word lights the path for our feet – Psalm 119:105)
- We experience God’s glory in our lives (the fullness of the church is found in Christ)
God provides the light, but we also need to make the decision to walk in it. When we do, we experience the fullness of life that God has prepared for us.
BEING A LAMPSTAND
The church also holds the light of Christ and shines it out. Matthew 5:12-16 says,
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It takes faith to see God’s light, faith to stand in it and be fully known, and faith to shine it out in our lives. If we, the church, choose to do this, we cannot be hidden. The decisions we make, and the mindset of our living will be clear to all on earth. One of the saddest things I see on earth, is the loss of the church’s identity. The church has let herself be redefined by man, by law, and by political correctness. Yet, the true identity of the church, its origin and its purpose has always been in God. With both its failures and victories, the church is seen. When we accept the light of God in our lives, we become witnesses and we cannot hide our testimony. Our faults, our strengths are all revealed and we need to remember that we are envoys of God’s kingdom. The church, as seen in the Great Commission has a purpose to fulfil in proclaiming the message of the gospel, of Jesus Christ, and of His kingdom.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – [Matthew 25:19-20]
UNTHWARTED LIGHT
Unthwarted light in charted grounds,
To chase the shadows, make them found.
Like cat and mouse, like hide-and-seek,
But without fear, its footsteps meek.
The church arrayed in beauty bold;
A chapel draped in freedom sold.
By sacrifice and grace – resected,
Beams of light off walls reflected.
See the lightshow, watch the torch,
The city of the Seeker’s Watch.
To light the way, make straight the paths,
Declare a fast, call forth the last.
Into the light, into His sight, I
nto the kingdom of His might.
The church, His lampstand, shining bright,
To gather nations, wins the fight.
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