Thursday, October 22
When we walk in the light of Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12), we see people clearly. We no longer see them as threats, but as children of God. We become peacemakers instead of conflict managers. But that’s not all. We also see ourselves clearly. Anyone who has ever had a child knows our infinite capacity to justify ourselves. When you confront a little kid, it’s never their fault: “Did you eat that piece of cake I was saving for your dad?” “No,” she insists, while the last bite is in her mouth, and her entire face is smeared with chocolate icing. If you have more than one kid, it’s even worse, because then there’s someone else to blame for your own sins. “So you’re saying your five-month-old brother, who can’t even crawl yet, got the cake out of the fridge and ate it?” I think that’s why kids make up imaginary friends, actually. That way, there’s one more person to take the heat for their bad deeds.
Many people never outgrow that tendency. Especially those who get elected to national office (I’m sorry…did I say that out loud?). But seeing yourself clearly is the beginning of salvation. We’re saved when we say, “I’ve made a mess of my life, my relationships, my everything. I can’t possibly make it right. Jesus, please rescue me.” Ephesians 5:8 says, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” In order to come into the light, you first have to admit you’re in darkness.
Becket Cook was a highly successful production designer at a firm in Hollywood, literally living his dream. He was also a gay man who marched in Pride parades, fought for marriage equality, and had a series of boyfriends. Then, in 2009, he met Jesus Christ. In his words, “I went into church a gay atheist and walked out a born-again Christian, in love with Jesus.” As he learned how to live this radically different life, he realized his attraction to men hadn’t gone away. So he chose to live as a celibate single man, trusting that following the light of Jesus would produce more joy than being sexually active outside His plan. And he was right.
Coming out of darkness had other consequences. Becket’s closest friends abandoned him. His firm fired him. But he didn’t feel sorry for himself. He wrote, “I’m not complaining or claiming to be a victim. What I gained in Christ is absolutely priceless. Like the apostle Paul, I’m learning to count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Phil. 3:8). Yes, the loss of close friendships and a lucrative career were harsh, but being in the kingdom of God more than compensates!” Becket Cook learned to see himself as God sees him, instead of through the world’s eyes, and it changed him forever.
All of us who are saved have this in common with Becket: We once were in darkness and have come into the light of Christ. Jesus said if we’ll live that way, humbly dependent on His light every day, this is the result: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Mt. 5:14). How can we be the light of the world? In the same way that a full moon brightens a dark night. The moon doesn’t produce light, but it reflects the light of the sun. Jesus is the sun, and we’re supposed to live like moons, reflecting His light to the world. When we do, others see that light and are drawn to it. They come home, and the Father is glorified.
“Lord, am I walking in your light? Am I drawing others to you? Please take away my arrogance, and show me the ways I still walk in darkness. Make my life a reflection of your glorious light. Amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
