Crestwood Church Blog

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Cor 4:6-7

After a few glorious weeks of sunshine, our local micro area of the world seems to have all gone dark and cloudy. Our shorts and short sleeved T-shirts are put on one side once more and give way to sweat shirts or another layer of something.

That maybe physically what its like, but what about spiritually. Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the person and work of the Holy Spirit. How he brings about fellowship with the Father and power to do ministry on his behalf.

Through the Holy Spirit we also have another great possibility. The very presence of God who illuminated this world at creation is still illuminating it today. The same one who shone out brightly from the face of Moses as he received the Law on top of Mount Sinai, the same one who shone out to the disciples at his transfiguration, the same one who shone out after his resurrection, is the same Lord Jesus who wants to shine out of us.

Its not they we are special in ourselves, it’s he that is in us, who makes us shine. A sweet wrapper is useless without the sweet, as is a torch without batteries and a bulb.

God through his Spirit wants to bring the best out of each of our lives, he wants to bring out this great treasure hidden within our lives. Without it, our lives can go dark, just as creation would have stayed dark if God had not intervened.

If Jesus were to appear today on earth, his face would shine so brightly that we would be blinded, his “glory” his physical greatness, would be too much for our sinful bodies. But because we are born again of his Spirit he is the treasure in our lives, he is the best in our lives and he wants to shine out of you, so that you through his power may reach others and radiate the light of God to others. Without his light, his glory we are like dull pots of clay, but with him energising us and shining brightly through us, we can impact our community.

Some people say when they have been with Christians who are close to God that they look like they have been with Jesus, but its more than just a glow or a sparkle, its how we conduct ourselves and how we treat others around us. Shining out Jesus, means we act like Jesus, our minds are like Jesus and our conversation is true. Lets get out of the dark and let the light shine from you.

Labels: Brightly, Conversation, Light, Shine

posted by Andy Hodson - Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 17:01
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