The words of Jesus are in red text.

Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 His light facilitates our ability to spiritually see God’s truths; discern Satan’s lies; illuminates our path as we are guided from death unto life; and causes a heart-felt desire to reflect His light towards others who are walking in darkness. To facilitate understanding, these illuminative attributes of the light of Jesus may be segmented between internal and external. Internal Illumination The light of Jesus enables us to see ourselves from a different perspective as we discover the depths of our sinful nature. Similar to layers of an onion that are pealed back, as we grow and mature in Christ and as we look introspectively, we will see undesirable aspects of our sinful nature—including our thoughts, words and deeds. This awareness often coincides with temptations, trials and/or tribulations; and can be painful as the Holy Spirit reveals and removes them from our heart and soul. This process of sanctification (cleansing of unrighteousness) is for our spiritual benefit, the benefit of others, and the glory of God. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” John 15:16 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:1-2, 4 External Illumination “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.” Matthew 5:14-15 As we continue to grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit will magnify our God-designed attribute of empathy—which causes a heart-felt desire to reflect the light of Jesus and share the transforming power of God’s grace and forgiveness. “He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 The projected light is not our own light—for we are unable to produce light. But we are light-bearers who glorifies the source of the light by allowing His light to shine through us via our good works (words and deeds). However, when we first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our spiritual condition is often similar to a light bulb that is unable to fully emit the light of Jesus because of restrictive contaminants (our sinful nature). This is when the Holy Spirit will cause the light of Jesus to in creasingly shine brighter from within as He cleanses us of unrighteousness, “Through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 Ambassadorship “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 There are two additional spiritual transitions that occur when someone accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord: (1) They are no longer a “citizen” of the world. “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36 “You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.” John 15:19 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20 (2) Their core purpose in life has been radically changed. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 “We are ambassadors for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 An ambassador may be defined as a person who is a diplomatic representative and authorized messenger assigned with the task of establishing and enhancing relationships. As an ambassador for Christ, Jesus asks us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Rely Upon the Holy Spirit “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63 When we share our faith in Jesus, it is important to remember: • It is only the Holy Spirit who can change someone’s heart and lead them to salvation. • We are simply a “conduit” through which the Holy Spirit works in various ways to reach the lost. • When sharing our faith, we must: o Not rely upon our human “wisdom” when speaking—which often creates barriers to listening. o Continually evaluate the attitude of our heart. o Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit before speaking. o Communicate Bible scripture. o Allow God’s grace and love to envelop and pass through us as “rivers of living water” that flow from the depths of our heart in what we say and do. o Never judge nor condemn the lost. Another aspect of maturing in Christ is a realization that we have an undesirable propensity to make inappropriate judgements of persons we encounter. We were once bound by sin and are imperfect. As such, who are we to judge someone else for their sins and imperfections? For it is only God who can judge another ( James 4:12 ; John 8:1-12 ). The importance and consequences of this flaw within our flesh—and the spiritual attitude of our heart—was illuminated by the following words of Jesus. Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14 When we focus upon the reality of ourselves and fully recognize we are unworthy of God’s grace and mercy due to the depths of our sin…is when: • Pride is replaced with humility. • Judgement is replaced with forgiveness. • God’s grace and love is able to flow more freely as living waters. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:1-5 Consid er the messaging conveyed by this picture of a sign. Consider the heart of the person who created the sign. Does the sign contain truths? Does the sign contain lies? How do you respond to the sign (including your feelings)? How do you think others will respond to the sign? How will the lost perceive Christians? Which of the following do the words exemplify: • Living water • The light of Jesus • Judgmental condemnation • Hatred When asked which is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 Abrasive Interactions As the light of Jesus shines through us, we will encounter abrasive persons who exhibit one or more of the following behavioral characteristics. (Note: We are all guilty of the same behaviors.) • Self-centered. • Obnoxious, overbearing, manipulative, rude, mean. • Makes belittling, insulting or inappropriate comments. • Has a lack of empathy and compassion for the weaknesses and mistakes of others. • Has difficulty in (or does not desire) attaining close interpersonal relationships. • Becomes defensive and/or argumentative if someone attempts to share Jesus with them. How our sinful nature often responds to an abrasive person is similar to how like poles on two magnets repels (or resists) one another as they come closer. The human repelling experience is often magnified (worsened) by varying degrees of discomfort, f rustrations and anger—which generates a desire to move away from the source of conflict as quickly as possible. From a physical perspective, the only way to connect similar poles on magnets is by a continual application of brute force that exceeds the repelling power of the energy within the magnets. This phenomenon is analogous to an interpersonal encounter when one is abrasive. However, there are spiritual means to overcome the opposing forces. For example: 1 . Enter into an attitude of prayer and ask for spiritual discernment. 2 . Disallow their abrasive behavior to influence our flesh by recognizing: a . Their words and deeds are a consequence of darkness and lies. b . If we speak from our flesh we may cause irreparable harm. c . It’s not about me experiencing this undesirable situation, but rather, it’s about their healing. 3 . Yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 4 . Do not look upon their toxic behavior, but discern the cause for their abrasiveness. 5 . Consider how your heart and soul was once in a similar condition. 6 . Respond in a manner that is pleasing to God and glorifies Jesus by: a . Exemplifying heart-felt empathetic understanding. b . Demonstrating forgiveness. c . Allowing God’s love to emanate from the core of your being. 7 . Remember the words spoken by Jesus Christ as He was dying on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 The repelling force of an abrasive person is reduced as the influence of our flesh is minimized, and as our personal experience and conviction of the transforming power of Jesus is magnified. For it is only God’s love that can change someone from within. Jesus declared: • “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28 • “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:37-38 When sharing Jesus, sometimes we are only able to plant the word of God as a “seed”—which may be watered by someone else and harvested by God at a later time. ( 1 Cor. 3:6-8 ) Here are two examples of God’s word that may germinate within the heart and mind. • “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11 • “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 God’s grace and love—combined with our compassionate empathy—all flowing from the Holy Spirit—is the only means to break through the barriers and reach those who are bound by delusional lies, sin and lost in darkness. • “The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Prov. 4:19 • “In the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Ephesians 4:17-18 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “I now send you to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 All for His Glory! Harold D. Thomas Thought Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, this Bible study topic, and ourselves. The questions may be answered by each reader, or used by a Bible study group leader, or church pastor. The questions should be answered or discussed after reading “Let Your Light Shine.” In addition, the questions are designed to enhance learning via the determination of personal opinions and/or discovering how the lesson content relates to our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided. Questions Identify at least 3 attributes of the light of Jesus. What is the difference between internal and external illumination? What was the core difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector? A picture of a sign was used to illustrate a misguided attempt to share the light of Jesus. If you were asked to create a sign…what would it say? Have you encountered an abrasive person? • What was your mental and emotional response? • Did your “flesh” get in the way and did you experience a repelling “polarization?” • Looking back, what would you have done differently? How does the following words of Jesus illuminate the underlying motivations between a person who exhibits an abrasive response versus someone who welcomes the light of Jesus? “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-20 The lesson states that sometimes we may only have the opportunity to simply plant a “seed” of God’s word. In Isaiah 55:11, God states, “My word…shall not return to Me void.” (Void means empty or without value.) • Identify at least three examples of how we may plant a “seed” of God’s word. • If initially rejected, how may the seed germinate and grow? ( 1 Cor. 3:6-9 ) • If continually rejected (and suppressed), how may the planted seed cause eternal grief during the final judgement? ( Revelation 20:11-15 ) What is the most important thing you learned from this lesson? You may download a P DF version of the questions by clicking on this button.