I took a moment to savor the soft morning light splashing rainbows off the chandelier’s crystal pendants and lighting the face of an orchid. My response intrigued me since the sliver of light peeking through my drapes the previous night had irritated me when I was trying to sleep.

Light provides life and sight, yet when I was trying to sleep, even a thin sliver irritated me. The Bible refers to God, Jesus, and itself as light. And as I’d yanked the drapes to block the light disturbing my sleep, some people seek to shut out biblical light.

I started school in an era when my elementary school began each morning with the Lord’s prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag. One teacher even read a bit of Scripture. Later, indignant groups pulled down the Ten Commandments from courtrooms and banned prayer in schools. Why did this biblical light irritate them so much they had to ban it from our public places?

The light seeping into my bedroom kept me awake when I wanted sleep. Perhaps those who find God’s light harsh hate that it awakens us to sin’s wickedness and the harm it causes individuals and society. Even believers sometimes forget why God hates sin.

Children of Light

The Scripture describes those who’ve been born into God’s family by faith as “children of Light” and as “lights in the world.”

• “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8 NASB 1995).
• “So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15)

Because we fellowship with God, like the light that disturbed my sleep, our existence offends those who love darkness (1 John 1:7; 1 John 3:12). To not be offensive, should we hide our light? Jesus tells us to do the opposite.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 NASB).

I resented the light that disturbed my sleep. But I would have welcomed that light if I had been stumbling outside in the dark. Similarly, there are those who welcome the biblical light others hate.

Don’t be offended by those who take offense at your biblical values and lifestyle. Don’t feel you must ignore your beliefs to win people to Christ. God has put eternity into human hearts. They are searching for meaning. And some will see your good works and be drawn to Jesus. Pray they wake up, welcome the Light, and receive eternal life.

“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,

‘Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.’

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:11-16 NASB).

Strength Finder

In what ways has our present culture impacted your values and how you engage with people outside the faith? Consider the following Scriptures. Pick one to ponder and apply to your life.

• “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NASB 1995).
  .
• “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (John 8:12 NASB 1995).
  .
• “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17 NASB 1995).
  .
• “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NASB).
  .
• “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:20 NASB).

Resources

Did you know the Bible addresses the issues we face in our world and country? This summer our Tuesday Evening Women’s Zoom group will take eight weeks to discuss Well Versed by James L. Garlow. We meet from 7:10-8:40 p.m. ET. Here is a description:

“Conservative Christians admit that they do not speak out on political or cultural issues because they do not know how to support their beliefs from a biblical basis, according to a recent poll. Instead, they remain silent on critical issues like marriage, racism, and transgender issues because they feel uninformed and ill-equipped to defend their beliefs.”

Click here to let me know if you’re interested in joining us.

Tucker Carlson interviewed El Salvador’s president. At point 4:57 he tells how, in the span of a few weeks, they were able to take El Salvador from being the country with the highest murder rate per capita to having the lowest. I loved his unofficial reason on why they were successful. May God give us leaders who seek Him.

Here’s the link to “President Nayib Bukele: Seeking God’s Wisdom, Taking Down MS-13, and His Advice to Donald Trump.”

Click here to comment.

Blessings,

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