Your Daily Devotional for August 14, 2006

 

August 14, 2006

 

Showing God’s Light

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

 

John 1:4-5

 

As we see in our text today, even before Christ came into this world to become the Light of the World, His life-giving power was evident. Verse 4 says, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” It has been evident from the beginning of time that the only true life that we can have, is found in Jesus Christ. Only He holds the power of life and death in His hands.

 

Not only is the light of the world found in Christ, but also the light of men. Christ is the One who shines into the darkness of this world and can reach the hearts of men with the light of His Word. John 8:12 says, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

 

A distressed father sat at the bedside of his comatose son, hurt playing basketball. At a crucial point in the game, the 16-year-old lunged for an errant pass going out of bounds. As he toppled over a spectator’s chair, one of its legs caught him in the stomach and damaged vital organs. Because he felt little pain, the teen continued to play the game’s final minutes while he hemorrhaged internally. By the time the pain grew enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, it was almost too late. The doctors worked frantically to save him, but the outcome was uncertain.

 

Though the son eventually recovered, those awful hours of waiting for the slightest signs of recovery forced family members to ask questions they’d never before faced. The father was alone on his bedside shift one evening when the pastor visited. Trembling with emotion, the father asked, “Will God kill my son to punish my sin?” “No,” said the young minister, searching for words that would comfort and grant renewed trust in the God this father now so desperately needed. “The Lord’s not punishing your son for your sin. He couldn’t, because God punished His Son for your sin.”

 

Yes, Jesus sent His Son to pay for our sins and He is the Light and the Life of this world, but what good does that do? Why did God send His Son to die, if we won’t tell the world? The main way the world sees true Christianity is through the way you live.

 

Christ’s light can shine brightly from heaven, but if your life is crowded with sin, His light will be dimmed to those who need it most. Who is watching your life right now to determine whether they believe in God or not? Who is judging all of Christianity by your life? Will someone forsake God because of you? People are always watching you so you must be maintain a good testimony.

 

Friend, we need to always be an example to those around us. Christ has provided the source for the light; all we have to do is share it with others. Make sure your life is one that lets God’s light shine through it. Can others tell that you have Christ in you? Or, do they often wonder if you are a real Christian because of your actions? Determine to let God’s light shine through your life today.

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