Let Light Shine Out of Darkness

2 Corinthians 4:5-9

“5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light 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. 7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”

The love, mercy and forgiveness of God is a gift given to us by God.   We carry this gift in our hearts so that we can shine it out into the dark world for all to see and to guide others to Christ.

God’s gift of salvation to the world is contained in us, clay jars as Paul called us.  Even though we have been given this great gift, we are still subject to the temptations, circumstances, whims, evils, and sufferings of the world.  Faith does not make us immune from these things.

But because we have God’s eternal gift, the world cannot destroy us.  We may be persecuted, afflicted, struck down and driven to despair… 

but we can never be separated from God’s love.

“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)