Two Lights

I’d like to start off this object lesson post with Philippians 2:15–

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

Here Paul is writing to the Christian church in Phillipi about how they’re to be shining lights among a generation of crooked and perverse people. So, how does this apply to us as Seventh-Day Christian teens?

Just like the Philippian church was encouraged by Paul to be lights “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,” so we as Seventh-Day Adventist Christian teens are encouraged as well by these words to be lights in the midst of the pervading perverse crookedness among our own current generation. In fact, listen to what Ellen White had to say about  this:

“We are to be as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, proclaiming the good news of forgiveness and salvation through a crucified and risen Saviour. We are to walk and work in the meekness and lowliness of Christ, our hearts filled with His peace.”

–{Letter 199, 1904 par. 6

But, has it ever occurred to you that there’s actually TWO ways we can be a light? Did you know that there’s actually TWO types of lights in the church? What do I mean by that? Let me illustrate.

In our modern age we now have something that many generations have never had before. Can you guess what it is? It is……………..

As you can see in the picture above, the answer is a flashlight. Now, flashlights are pretty convenient. All you do is just flick them on or off–no kindling or flints needed!

However, things become dangerous when the ease of a flashlight sinks into the religious life. What do I mean by that?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 that we’re to LET our light so shine before men. But when your witnessing light is like a flashlight, it’s easy to switch that light off–and then switch it on again when witnessing is easy or convenient. But having such a flashlight witness goes against Christ’s words in Matthew 5:16 and what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:15!

In fact, it’s always been God’s will for His people to not just be lights, but blazing fiery flames! Take a look at these two Old Testament verses:

“The house of Jacob shall be a fire,
And the house of Joseph a flame;
But the house of Esau shall be stubble;
They shall kindle them and devour them,
And no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,
For the Lord has spoken.” (Obadiah 18)

“He shall cross over to his stronghold for fear,
And his princes shall be afraid of the banner,
Says the Lord,
Whose fire is in Zion
And whose furnace is in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 31:9)

That’s what I mean by saying that there’s two kinds of lights in the church. One is a flashlight that only flicks on whenever witnessing is convenient or easy; the other light a fiery torch, a blazing flame, that ever glows no matter how difficult or simple witnessing is–it’s always shining.

And dear reader, I’d like to seriously ask you this question: What kind of light are you? Are you a flashlight witness that only switches on when witnessing is an easy convenience? Or are you a fire witness that is constantly shining the burning light of love and truth every time, everywhere?

Maybe you’re a flashlight witness, and only flick on when witnessing is easy and convenient. If that’s you, dear reader, and you want God to transform from a flashlight into a blazing flame, then I encourage you to pray the following prayer:

For those who are fire witnesses, you have a much greater responsibility. In the verse we’ve just read, Paul writes that we are to be lights “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15). And friends, we are truly living in a VERY crooked and VERY perverse generation. We’re living among a generation of people who are lost in the thick darkness of sin, depression, deception, and hopelessness. God is calling us to shine even BRIGHTER than ever before! Is it your prayer, dear reader, for the flaming torch of truth, love, and hope in your heart to burn and shine with MORE intensity than it ever did in previous years? Do you want your fiery witness of God’s goodness and love in your life to shine even MORE brightly? If so, then just pray:

I’d like to conclude this post with a verse you may meditate on along with either one of the above prayers.

Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1-2)

May God help each one of us to arise and shine the light of His glory, grace, love, hope, peace, and truth to all who are in the crooked and perverse darkness of sin, hopelessness, and woe. May we not be flashlights, but rather, flaming, blazing torches of God’s truth, love, and hope to the lost!

Amen! Maranatha!