“BEAM HIS LIGHT”

5 “And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan.”

Genesis 12:5

To be a Christian goes far beyond mere salvation from God's wrath and eternal separation from Him. It also comes with a specific role of embodying the things He stands for.

In yesterday’s blog, we were reminded that in a world where people do not care about God, Christians are to show genuine concern and point people to Christ. Let’s keep going.

Faith acknowledges that God calls each believer to serve as a light in the darkness.

Abraham lived when sin had become widespread, threatening the goodness of God’s creation. The world has lost its sense of morality, justice, and mercy; it has forgotten the God who made all things and everyone immersed in wickedness. From a state of perfection, the world became filled with drunkenness, deception, greed, sexual immorality, rebellion, and murder. It was time for God to act.

God called Abraham to be a light in the darkness. He told Abraham to get out of his country (perhaps to get rid of idolatry) and go to a foreign land. He called Abraham for at least three reasons: (1) to save him (2) to make him a blessing to others (3) to make him an example of faith.

God set Abraham apart from a world of darkness so He could use him as a beacon of light to mankind. People had become selfish, lawless, and rebellious. In the midst of this backdrop, God called Abraham to show His grace and mercy. He wants to show the difference between those who trust God and those who live for themselves.

God wants to use us in the same way.

14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Philippians 2:14-15

Abraham could’ve complained and asked God, “Why do you want me to leave my family behind? Why are you taking me away from my home and moving me to a land I know nothing about?” But he didn’t. Instead, he trusted God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3).

Abraham left a great city and all the conveniences that came with it. He moved to a place completely unknown to him. While Abram came from a pagan land, with no Scripture to turn to, and not really knowing the landscape of his destination, he listened to God’s call and willfully obeyed. That is faith.

He was 75 years old when God called him, and he trusted God for 100 years. His story is an inspiration to believers throughout history. He is a great example of what it means to actually live by faith and not by sight.

Similarly, God called you to be a light in the darkness. You have been given the privilege to have a personal relationship with the Maker of the heaven and the earth. He took you from the miry clay of sinfulness and brought you into His marvelous light. Now, He calls you His child. As such, you are His representative to this rather dark world. How do you plan on beaming the light of Christ?

Pursue the Savior today!

Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash