“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a 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 deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:14-16. AMP]
You do realize that you shouldn’t (hide) – yes? And saying you’ve not been saved that long doesn’t make a difference. Do you realize that your wonderings and questions are also bringing light? When it comes to spiritual matters, there’s never a dumb question. Even for those who are more mature, your question(s) ‘force’ others to put flesh to their thinking. So why would you not let your light shine? Why hide?
I suspect some are in the… I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do category, For young Christians – understandable. Yet, if you classify yourself as a young Christian… your confusion, lack of understanding, questions will bring you to light if you state them! And they really help those more mature to be clearer in their teaching. Personally, I don’t believe that there is anyone, saved, who doesn’t possess some light. And it’s obvious that the world we live in is devoid of light – darkness seems to cover the land.
You may have many other reasons for your quietness but that doesn’t excuse using them. Instead, look at what you are doing that will enhance your growth. Studying? Praying? Fellowshipping? Part of an adult class? Seeing what’s at your hand that you can be of assistance? Those would be good beginnings and continuings. None of us ever outgrows the need for these 5 areas to be active in our lives.
If you are a new believer you can always hang on to:
Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
John 3:16 ““For God so loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His One and only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
1 John 4:4 ” Little children you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].”
There is soooo much more to discover in the Bible, but these 3 verses can form the beginnings of your foundation.
If you have been saved for some time but haven’t grown… now is as good a time as ever to start. If you have begun then continue! Your light is needed! What you know and what you need to know can be guides to your growth. But it begins by not hiding your light. One of the keys is:
“Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].” [1 Peter 4:10]
Don’t know your gift? Ask the Lord. Don’t know how to use your gift? Ask the Lord. The Body, The Church needs you to become your part of the light – it is suppose to bring to this world…
“… to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.” [Ephesians 4: 12 -16]
