[Biblemat] S) "THIS LITTLE CHRISTIAN LIGHT OF MINE"

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

"THIS LITTLE CHRISTIAN LIGHT OF MINE"

     "You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot
be hidden.  Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-
measure, but on the lampstand: and it gives light to all who 
are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a
way that they may see your good works, and glorify your 
Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:14-16).

     Some of the most enduring lessons I have learned in life, I
learned as a child growing up in rural Walker County, Alabama.  My first 
memories of "going to church" are of a one
room church building with no indoor facilities and bare light
bulbs tht hung from the ceiling by their power cords (we used
yellow "bug" lights in the summer when the windows had to 
be raised because we didn't have screens).  My first class-
room was a curtain drawn across the back of the auditorium.
In the summer, the kids were taught outside under the shade
of a large oak that stood on the east side of the building.
Things may have been a bit primitive by modern standards
but, at least as far as I was concerned, they were effective.

     It was in this setting that Barbara Pearl, my first Bible class teacher, 
taught me to sing the songs of children.  They
were simple.  They were songs of faith.  And they were songs
that taught me valuable lessons.  One song, "This Little Christian Light Of 
Mine," and its lessons are on my mind even
today.  I still recall four valuable lessons embedded within 
these simple verses.

"Hide It Under A Bushel?  No!"  Jesus taught us to let our light (influence) 
"shine before men..."  Though we are not to
do things we do for the purpose of being seen of men (Matt.
6:5), neither did He want our good deeds to be hidden in such
a way that no one would see.  A faith shut up inside, without
visible works to demonstrate it, is worthless (Jas. 2:18,24).
Thus we are taught to use our time, talents, and resources to
bring glory to God.  Others will see and be moved to glorify
Him as well.

"Don't Let Satan Blow It Out" -- The danger we face is that of
sin wrecking our influence.  Jesus wants each of us to be an
example to others, a role model.  A model of righteousness
can be a force for much good.  On the other hand, a model
of sin can cause great destruction.  Satan is real and "prowls
around like a lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
If by sin your influence for good is destroyed, it is difficult or
altogether impossible to win back the confidence of people
you have betrayed.  Don't let Satan and sin rule over you.

"Shine Around The Neighborhood" -- The light of Christ's in-
fluence on us should be displayed everywhere we go.  It must
shine not just in the church building at meeting times, but 
throughout our daily lives.  At home, in school, on the assem-
bly line, in the board room, on the field of athletic competition
when we go to the grocery store or to the town meeting.  Everywhere we go and 
in everything we do, the name of Christ should be worn with honor and 
dignity.  Jesus' influen-
ce upon us is not something to be worn like a coat at the meetinghouse and to 
be discarded at other times.

"Let It Shine 'Til Jesus Comes" -- Sometimes the righteous
grow weary.  When we see sin in high places in our land and
people proudly mocking God, we are made to wonder if it is
possible to influence our nation or our community for good.
Sometimes we are tempted to give up and give in.  But God
encourages us to "not lose heart in doing good" (Gal. 6:9).
The older you grow and the more you serve Him, the sweeter
thoughts of heaven and home become.

     These four lines, learned by most of us long ago, teach
four valueable lessons:

     Use what God has given you to His glory.

     Don't let Satan destroy your influence.

     Show the light of Christ every day.

     Don't give up.

     What better lessons can our children learn today?  This is
what they need to know.  This is what they MUST know.  Any-
thing and everything else them may learn pales in comparison
Meditate on these things.  ------ Jim Deason in Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, 
No. 5, May 2007.   </HTML>
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