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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke 8:16, Jesus Christ continues to teach these disciples who had come with questions and He is telling them that the fruitful life is like a lamp. We spent time in our previous study looking at the seed and the type of soil and how that was paralleled in the types of lives people lead. Jesus speaks about four different kinds of soil and He explains that there are four different kinds of responses to the sowing of the seed, which is the Word of God.
That seed which germinates and grows transforms that man into a lamp. Now, there is an amazing statement, but rather wonderful. The main purpose of a lamp is to shine - to illumine - to enlighten.
The true disciple of Jesus Christ is like a lighthouse. He gives light to give other travelers, but he also warns of the dangers. Not everybody appreciates the second aspect of the lighthouse.
To hide the light which God gives us is SIN. To cover the light which we have received is wrong. To refuse to share the light which Jesus has given us, can lead to all kinds of dangers for us - as well as for people around us.
One task we have in this nation just now is to let people know that GOD IS GOD.
What does God think of Child Abuse - abortion - people begging - drug addiction - the church compromising His Holy Word? These - and many more areas - are areas of darkness - where He calls disciples to shine - to be lights - to speak up - to speak out - writing - challenging - confronting authority at times - entering into areas of confusion and darkness.
The lamp is only useful when it is shining. A torch must have a battery. If the lamp is going to continue to shine it must have a constant and regular supply of oil.
It is not explained at this point, but we know from other Scriptures that the oil is the Holy Spirit, and for our wick to burn and to burn brightly, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we do not take in we cannot give out.
If we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, we will flicker - fade - wither - and soon go out. Now, there is a warning to which we all must pay heed.
v 17 One day everything will be revealed. One day, everything we thought might be concealed and never see the light of day, will be disclosed. Now, remember, these are Jesus’ words.
Part of the Gospel is this – we can have the bad parts rubbed out, erased and removed, now, and in the eyes of God it will be as though they never existed. The past can be forgiven and forgotten by God. We tend to remember these past deeds, and God gives us the grace and strength to carry these burdens and there is the assurance that He also heals the hurts and the wounds, but the scars can remain as reminders.
Think of how all this was applied to Peter following his denying knowing Jesus, after having said, “I am Your man. Even though everyone else runs away and flees and departs the scene, I’ll be there. You can rely on me.”
Or, think of Paul, and how he persecuted the early church and even attempted to imprison every disciple of Jesus Christ. He so detested Christians! But the grace of God changed and transformed that man and what a light he became. But the memory of how bad he had been remained and God used that painful memory in a positive way.
Consider all this carefully - or even that which we thought we had will be taken away.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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