John 5:32 "He was a burning and a shining light..."
When John came to bare witness of the truth, Jesus said He was a burning and a shining light. By the commission of God, the truth was burning in and through John, and so he bore witness to the truth. Whilst a burning fire most certainly bares light, it needs to be fuelled in order to do so. When a fire runs low on fuel and it is not quickly replenished, it slowly but surely stops giving light and starts emitting smoke. The problem with smoke is that, rather than giving light, it begins to burn the eyes, the nose and the throat, often suffocating those who inhale it.
The point is that our witness for Christ can have either a positive or a negative affect on people; depending on how the fire is burning within us, that is, how our lives are affected by and for Christ. Sadly, many times we hear people say that some of the most defeated, negative, murmuring, contentious, selfish, hypocritical and unhappy people around are those who also profess to know Christ. Now whilst we can never judge whether others truly know Christ or not, what the Word of God does tell us is that we will be known by our fruit; that which is forthcoming from our professed relationship with Christ Jesus.
Our witness for Christ should not be an unbearable fog of condemnation, judgement and a list of do's and don'ts. It should not be a holier than thou attitude which looks down on others. It should not suffocate others to the point of gasping for air and wanting to find the closest emergency exit. Rather, our witness for Christ should be a burning and shinning light to others. It should be one of following God as dear children and walking in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
Our witness should be one which radiantly shines forth love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control; all of which comes from that which we have so graciously, mercifully and lovingly been freely afforded in and through the spirit of Christ who now abides in us and us in Him.
Today, may we be encouraged that our testimony produces the light of Christ for all to see and always only to the glory of God. In this day and age, let us more fervently spend time in the Word of God, pray without ceasing and not neglect the gathering together of the saints; as we continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. For it is in so doing that fuel will continually be added to the fire that burns within each one of us, and it is in this way that Jesus Christ will work mightily in every individual member of His Body; shining His light to the world in and through you and me.
God Bless,
PKShttp://www.bible%20pictures.com/
When John came to bare witness of the truth, Jesus said He was a burning and a shining light. By the commission of God, the truth was burning in and through John, and so he bore witness to the truth. Whilst a burning fire most certainly bares light, it needs to be fuelled in order to do so. When a fire runs low on fuel and it is not quickly replenished, it slowly but surely stops giving light and starts emitting smoke. The problem with smoke is that, rather than giving light, it begins to burn the eyes, the nose and the throat, often suffocating those who inhale it.
The point is that our witness for Christ can have either a positive or a negative affect on people; depending on how the fire is burning within us, that is, how our lives are affected by and for Christ. Sadly, many times we hear people say that some of the most defeated, negative, murmuring, contentious, selfish, hypocritical and unhappy people around are those who also profess to know Christ. Now whilst we can never judge whether others truly know Christ or not, what the Word of God does tell us is that we will be known by our fruit; that which is forthcoming from our professed relationship with Christ Jesus.
Our witness for Christ should not be an unbearable fog of condemnation, judgement and a list of do's and don'ts. It should not be a holier than thou attitude which looks down on others. It should not suffocate others to the point of gasping for air and wanting to find the closest emergency exit. Rather, our witness for Christ should be a burning and shinning light to others. It should be one of following God as dear children and walking in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
Our witness should be one which radiantly shines forth love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control; all of which comes from that which we have so graciously, mercifully and lovingly been freely afforded in and through the spirit of Christ who now abides in us and us in Him.
Today, may we be encouraged that our testimony produces the light of Christ for all to see and always only to the glory of God. In this day and age, let us more fervently spend time in the Word of God, pray without ceasing and not neglect the gathering together of the saints; as we continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. For it is in so doing that fuel will continually be added to the fire that burns within each one of us, and it is in this way that Jesus Christ will work mightily in every individual member of His Body; shining His light to the world in and through you and me.
God Bless,
Love the Bible pics site
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