September 3rd, 2009
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
A Scottish missionary was passing through an African village. He was weary from his travels and in need of food and water. When he asked the men in the village for a drink of water they refused him. Desperate, he offered to buy a little milk from them. But this too was refused. Then, as the sun was setting, a woman came to the missionary.
She carried a bundle of wood on her head, and in her hand a vessel of milk. She set them down beside the missionary and left. A second time she came with a pot on her head, a leg of mutton in one hand, and a jar of water in the other. She sat down without a word, prepared the fire, and began to cook the meat.
The missionary was taken aback. He asked the woman who she was and what had caused her to have compassion on him. "I love Him whose servant you are," she replied, "and surely it is my duty to give you a cup of cold water in His name. My heart is full, and therefore, I cannot speak the joy I feel to see you in this out-of-the world place."
The woman was the only Christian in her village. When the missionary asked her how she maintained her faith in Christ, she took a copy of the New Testament from her bosom and said, "This is the fountain from which I drink; this is the oil which makes my lamp burn."
As a Christian you are probably familiar with the saying, "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).
It comes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where Christ says:
"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" (Matt. 5:14-16).
In Bible times, lamps were clay vessels that were filled with oil. This is a fitting image of the believer, shining for Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Like our Lord, we shine most clearly by walking in the light (Eph. 5:8), and by our good works (Matt. 5:16).
Notice that the lamp cannot function without the oil. It would soon burn out. In order to shine continually for Christ, our lamps need to be replenished regularly with the oil of God's grace. Where can we obtain this precious oil? The answer is simply by direct, daily contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.
By prayer and abiding in His word we are filled with His Spirit and obtain our spiritual resources for each day.
Christian, how brightly is your lamp burning before men? Is it shining for all to see? This is God's will for you. If your lamp is growing dim, look to the Lord and His grace. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16). When you are filled with His oil, you will be a burning and shining lamp (Jn. 5:35), sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (2Tim. 2:21).
In His strong love,
Demitri
