“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God.” [Jesus speaking]

When did life become so black and white? When did we start to see such anger towards God and his church? What we are experiencing now in America is likely the beginning of what other Christians have experience all over the world for years and years — True Persecution for one’s faith. Many wonder why this persecution is done. It is because the truth exposes sin.

The Bible mentions other contracts too like: good vs. evil and life vs. death. Jesus caps off his conversation with Nicodemus by comparing true followers from those who are not. Just like there are true believers and non-believers — there are those who STEP OUT INTO THE LIGHT to give glory to God and those who stay in the darkness.

Evil can show itself overtly or covertly in our lives. Some do evil acts in the open. Others are complicit and watch these acts being done without raising a finger to stop them. In contrast, you have true believers who stand for what is right and good in life. They are not perfect, but they are committed to seeking after righteousness. II Corinthians 4:6-7 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing Power is from God and not from us.” What a great gift we have been given, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” When we step out in the light, it is clearly seen that we are broken, ordinary vessels — jars of clay. This is just fine, because it allows the truth to be seen for what it is. God’s light SHINES through us, accomplishing his work in and through our committed hearts. I have used the analogy of myself as a man full of scars and holes. I have fallen and been picked up by a forgiving Savior time and again. When I serve, I try to be transparent, because then people can see that if God can use a broken man like me, he can use them too. Some try to cover up their weaknesses/sin/holes in life. This attempt to look good on the outside is never very attractive and it keeps the light from shining through. Light shines through holes brightly. Scars are areas where I have had to be healed, sometimes from things done to me, other times by sins I committed. When God forgives us he heals us, but scars are left. Some think these are not becoming, and by themselves they are not. However, God’s Light reflects off these scars in a fascinating diversion of light, like off of a multi-faceted diamond. This reflection catches the eyes of others. It is incredibly beautiful to see God’s light reflecting off of our healed scars. So the truth is, the more we let God shine through us and reflect off of us, HE IS GLORIFIED! When we cover up our sin and we turn from him and his light — the Light of the World — we become dim. Our confidence comes from him. So let’s shine his light brightly today. May we be multi-faceted reflectors of His Glory.