The Light of Ministry

It's been quite a week with some high points and others "not so much", but life in the Jungle is no bowl full of cherries and surely a learning experience. We learn from adversity and trials, so we can use the "bumps" in life's road to grow and mature, and help others along the way. I've come to realize that my Mentor Bill Stiles (now gone home to be with the Lord) was right in stating that in the Christian life, everywhere you look there is a need for ministry.

There truly is something to be said about thinking "positively", and should be encouraged and practiced within reason, because we cannot turn a blind eye to "wrong" in the world. Philippians 4:8 tells us: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." But we must be true; not everything goes well every day. There are many people hurting out there, needing love and care … (sometimes it’s us, the body of Believers in the finished work of Jesus, that can give an encouraging word or hand to assist). There are scores of folks that do not know the Lord and need to hear the “good news” of the grace of God, forgiveness of Sin, and salvation by Christ also.

This is clear in John 3:16-18, where Jesus explains:  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." To bring the gospel that produces “saving” faith to a lost & dying world, “already” condemned, is the marching orders as Christians today. But, lets be honest, (God’s Plan of Salvation) the “good” news of Jesus Christ is not “good” news to those who choose not to accept this “free” gift of eternal life. Continuing in John 3:19-20 Jesus explains to us the truth: "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."

As darkness is by definition - "the absence of light" - (you can bring a light into a dark room and the room will be lighted, but you can not bring darkness into a lighted room), evil is merely the absence of “good” and Sin is falling short of God’s standards – absence of His Will & Way. The light of Christ that the Child of God ministers is not to condemn, but expose darkness, so that the light of Truth may be seen, known and understood for those that will (by hearing the truth) then choose to walk into the light of salvation and truth provided by trusting and accepting Jesus, unto eternal life.

Will those who are in darkness call “good” evil? Call the “good” news of Jesus Christ, bad news? Many, for sure, but not the hearts that the Holy Spirit has prepared in advance to hear the gospel of Christ and will respond by believing and walking into the light. It doesn’t get more positive than that! So we do not lose heart or compromise our witness for the Lord in our life and ministry. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells us: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Glory be to God!

Your brother in Christ, Brian