The Father Of Lights

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.  And the nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.  Lift up your eyes all around, and see;  they all gather together, they come to you;  your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.  Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult..."
                                                                                                                                        (Isaiah 60:1-5)




Each of us are uniquely chosen to live in these epic times.  God is weaving His story throughout our lives and throughout the world.  At times, it can be easy to focus on the darkness around us instead of really pressing in and seeing what God is doing in our midst.  And what He is doing is marvelous!

History has proven that the more challenging the times for the followers of Christ were, the more opportunities God provided for them.  He would show up in unimaginable ways and He would be glorified.  He would open spiritual eyes and lives would be forever changed.  He accomplished that which was impossible to reveal to us that, in Him, all things are possible.

We now live in challenging times such as these.  God promises us, though, that the darker the world gets, the brighter He will shine.  We are told that God clothes Himself "with light as a garment" (Psalm 104:2).  We are also told that "God is Light" (1 John 1:5) and that He is "the Father of Lights" (James 1:17).

For some mysterious reason, we are the vessels from which God chooses to reveal Himself.  We are the children of "lights" that God has fathered.  It is the brightness of His presence that shines from within us and that is also what brings Him glory.

In order for God to be glorified through us, our lives nedd to extend beyond the boundaries of a natural explanation.  Francis Chan, an author and pastor, states: "Ask God to have His Spirit work so mightily in you that it would make for an amazing biography.  A biography that speaks of a life so supernatural that no one would even consider giving you the glory.  A biography that displays the power of the Spirit and lifts up the name of Jesus to the glory of  God the Father."

This extends beyond natural talent. It extends beyond any ability we have in the natural to accomplish things in our own strength.  These are not the things God is looking for in His children.  God is looking for purity and holiness; He is looking for a people on earth who look like Jesus.

God has "called us to a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9).  Believers are called to "be holy and blameless before Him" (Ephesians 1:4).  These are the people that God blesses.  Robert Murray M'Cheyne, a nineteenth century minister in Church of Scotland, said: "It is not great talent that God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus."

Holiness is not about following a set of rules; it is about following Jesus.  The closer we become to Him, the more we see the truth of who He is and who we are.  This requires openness, honesty, and a willingness to push forward in order to bring Him glory.

Francis Frangipane, an author and pastor, describes it this way: "When true holiness exists in a Christian's life, it produces a luminosity, a glow around that individual.  Infants and little children, because their spirits are yet pure and undefiled and because they are so close to the actual presence of God, emanate this light as well.  Their ligfht is visible because their hearts are transparent and truthful.  For us, the way to the bright lamp of holiness is this same way of transparency and truth.  It is the way to the pure gold of the kingdom of God."

Transparency and truth allow us to see when our words, actions, and attitudes are in alignment with God's Word and when we miss the mark.  Daily (or hourly), we are quick to repent, knowing that God is always faithful to forgive our sins.

After David had sinned (with Bathsheba), he repented and later wrote a Psalm of trust where he said: "For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; and abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).

God redeems our sins and He redeems our hardships.  He restores us, makes us whole, and blesses us.  He fills us with His Spirit and shines His light through our lives.  We are clothed in holiness, power, and love and shine brightly in a world that continues to grow darker by the day.  Ultimately, the Father of Lights illumines the whole earth with His glory!!!


Jesus urged His followers, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
                                                                                                                               (Matthew 5:16)