In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls believers "the light of the world," and like a candle we are supposed to "shine before others." This passage has been used effectively many times to show the importance of followers being open about their faith and reaching out to others, and that is certainly a major message Jesus is trying to communicate. I was not, however, exposed to another perspective of the candle analogy until I recently read a speech given by a German martyr. With these two lines, God seemed to tie together a bunch of loose ends for me.
"The candle consumes itself to give light to all the house. Its life consists of dying".
I am convinced that in order to fulfill our call to be the "light to the world" our lives must consist of dying. Not dying in the physical sense, for this type of death is out of our control and is appointed to all men. I mean dying to our selfish nature - giving up the right to make decisions apart from Christ.
Back in our days in science class, we learned that a flame must always have two fuel sources. First, there must be oxygen available to the flame. Second, there must be a "flammable" medium that can be consumed. When a candle is out of wick, the flame burns out regardless of the presence of oxygen.
Just like a candle, Christians are fueled from two separate sources - one external (oxygen) and one internal (our wick).
Our "oxygen" is the very breath of God -His Word, His grace and mercy, and communion with Him through prayer. Most believers understand the importance of this "fuel source" as this is predominately the focus of the most churches.
But there is another fuel source required to let our light shine before others. The external fuel source (God's Word) must be combined with our internal "wick" to fulfill our purpose. This means that becoming a light to the world carries a price. It requires a sacrifice on our part. Something in us must be consumed day-by-day, moment-by-moment to keep our flame fueled. That fuel is our selfish nature.
Interestingly, it's a fuel source that will always be abundant as long as we are on earth. Isn't that just like God to use the selfish and sinful things to bring out His good purpose? He has given us an unlimited "wick" if we learn how to use it for His glory.
But that's the hard part, right? Using it for His glory instead of our own. That's the battle we face daily. Paul tells us the secret to maintaining our internal flame in Romans 12:1 by instructing us to become a "living sacrifice." But choosing not to sacrifice our life for Christ is like removing the wick from the candle - there may still be oxygen around, but it is of little use to a pile of wax. And a lump of wax is not what attracts others - it's the flame.
"The candle consumes itself to give light to all in the house"
Consider the image of Little House on the Prairie and the family gathered around the lantern in the kitchen. Light on a candlestick gathers a household. Light seems to have a powerful draw. Perhaps this is why it is so important for us as Christians to "let our light shine." Our flame is attractive. Multiple flames working together produce the shining image of community - or - as Jesus refers to it "a city on a hill." Community is not built to be hidden but to dominate the horizon and lead people toward Christ. Hurting people run toward authentic community like a moth seeks the flame.
But we have to understand what is fueling our flame and how to maintain the light of community, or else we run the risk of living in the dark. I lived in the dark so long that my eyes eventually adjusted to it and I could not discern the absence of my flame. This made it easier and easier to yield to my selfish desires, while still believing there was some light in my life. I would have labeled myself a Christian, but I could not have had a flame, for I was not providing a wick.
To help make church more attractive to people and their money, we've created a "quick-fix" Christianity and marketed it as "free for all." We've taken it upon ourselves to lower the bar, so more people feel like they qualify. But the result has been the mass production of faithless, flameless sheep, who believe obedience to God's Word is optional on certain occasions.
Obedience is the fruit of true belief - It is the wick God's Word sets ablaze for all to see. Christ's model of ministry was not to lower the bar. In Luke He introduces us to a concept that gets swept under the rug in many church circles. Instead of this idea of a free gift, He proclaims that before we decide to become followers, we would be wise to count the cost.
Unless we are willing to pay the price, His light cannot shine through us because His flame has nothing to consume. True belief in Christ and His redeeming work results in a life of obedience to God's Word. A life of obedience results in a life of sacrifice. A life of sacrifice partnered with God's Word creates a flame that draws more people to the light of truth.
Lord, You've called us to be light in a dark world, but becoming this light requires that we surrender all we are to you. Let Your Spirit unveil the areas of our life we have yet to place under your guidance, and give us the wisdom to know what is right - as You define right. You are God alone - and You own no man an explanation; but out of sheer love for your creation, you reveal glimpses of Yourself to all men. Help me to be a light unto the world, so that more people get this glimpse of You.
-- Kevin Harrison
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