I admit that I love these days when I can walk away from church having my perspectives altered and my faith strengthened—there is no challenge to Biblical doctrine, however, my perception of truth is confronted.

Not in the least unique to the denomination in which I grew up was the belief that we had the “light” and every other church that didn’t hold to our particular doctrines either did not have the “light”, were deceived, or they were living in rebellion towards God’s commandments or the “truth” —and every denomination, those who adhere to a particular teacher or teaching become a standard-bearer for what is truth and everything that represents light in their understanding.

The problem with making “truth” and “light” about a particular doctrine or belief system is that it becomes something much more complicated or exclusive than God ever intended them to be.  Jesus himself tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  And the apostle Paul reminds us, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He save us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, who He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

As with many of the more conservative expressions of American Christians, it is easy for me to bemoan the moral decline of our country while maintaining an attitude of religious superiority—the difficulty with that attitude is the separation it creates between “us and them”, when in reality, the only thing that separates “saved” and “unsaved” is the presence of Jesus in the lives of those who have chosen to receive Him.  In our whitewashed perception of Christianity, where is there room for a prostitute, an adulterer and murderer, and the child of that illicit relationship in the lineage of the perfect one, Jesus?

True, I am not the same person now as when I first accepted Jesus as my Savior—however, my allowing Him to be Lord is an ongoing process of change, accomplished by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.  I recognize, though, that the changes in my attitudes, habits, thought processes, and behaviors are not at the center of my significance; rather, it is the one who is making the alterations that deserves all honor.  As with the apostle Paul, I have nothing to boast about except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

As Christians, we are encouraged to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:10-14). This passage of scripture articulates some characteristics of those who are in the “light”:  pleasing the Lord, fruitful in good works, increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with His glorious power, patient, longsuffering with joy, and thankful for our inheritance in Jesus—attributes birthed in faith and intimacy rather than obedience to creed.

When Jesus walked on earth, He instructed His disciples, “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” (Matthew 5:14-16).  Although many denominations define what those “good works” should be, James, the brother of Jesus gives us some good advice when he recommends that everyone should bridle their tongue, visit orphans and widows in trouble, keep oneself unspotted from the world, reject prejudice, and provide for the destitute.  Our good works do not save us; rather, it is in the way we live, the words we speak, the attitudes we nurture, and the kindnesses we show—that the windows of our soul open up and the light of our life shines out.

For much too long, Christians have been finger-pointers; in our attempts to establish our personal righteousness, we condemn the faults of others.  Sadly, it is much too common amongst Christians, condemning other Christians, though we happily join to condemn those who are not a part of the kingdom of light.  I am not quite sure what we are expecting—something akin to speaking Greek to an Englishman, unfamiliar with the language.

Someone who does not want or need a boat will not buy one—but a fisherman will!  Someone who does not want or see the need for the Savior will not receive Him—but those broken by sin and life experiences may!  And one who does not understand that they are in darkness will not desire light.  There is no point in bringing condemnation to the world because Jesus did not; instead, He brought light and life—“in Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).

Today is a good day to consider how we are being light in the world—it is not optional; rather, it inevitable in our attitudes and the ways we conduct our lives.  Are we being the light of Jesus? …bringing light and life through His life and death  on the cross.  It is time to quit both receiving condemnation and administering it to others!  Only one is an accuser and it is not God!