A blind man, sitting as a vendor on a street corner in a large city, had a lantern beside him. A stranger, made curious by the sight, walked over to him and asked, “Why did you have a lantern beside you, when as a blind man, darkness and light are the same to you?”
The man answered, “I have it so that men will not stumble over me!” Let us stop to consider the fact that while one man may be reading the Bible, 100 more may be reading you and me. That is what Paul meant when he said to the Corinthian believers, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men…” (2 Corinthians 3: 2)
If our very lives are, indeed, read of all men, what then do they comprehend to be truth concerning the gospel? What judgments do they make of God because they know we walk in fellowship with him? Lifestyle evangelism has a greater impact on those with whom we live, work and play than does the verbal testimony we may proclaim. If we exemplify Christ in our attitudes, actions and speech, men will see the gospel message for what it is meant to be.
We are the light of the world! As the light, we are but a reflection of the True Light, Jesus Christ. We must shine in the midst of the darkness of this world to lead men to faith in him. If the reflection of the true light cannot be seen in our life because of improper attitudes and actions of the heart, men may stumble over us and never find the Savior.
Many years ago, when I began a new pastorate, I made a visit to an elderly woman who lived in a nursing facility. Though bedridden for several years with crippling arthritis, she maintained a sweet spirit and was a blessing to all who knew her. My first visit was a visit of introduction, for I was now to be her pastor. When I stood to leave, she looked at me and said, “Young man, remember – always practice what you preach! I had rather see a sermon than to hear a sermon anytime!”
This was Paul’s exhortation to the believers in Philippi. He wrote, “Do all things without murmurings and disputing’s: that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of Life.” (Philippians 2:14-16a)
As we walk through this world, we have many opportunities to bear witness of Christ. The questions that should concern us are: “Do people around us recognize that we are Christians because of what they see and hear from us? Do we shine as lights in the world of darkness, or are we stumbling blocks over which men may fall?”
Therefore, let us be a light that lights the way for all to see.Jerry L. Dunn is pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Kingman
