by Pastor Patrick Cho

The pastors of Lighthouse Bible Church have decided to call this blogspot “Shine the Light!” because it seems to have become a sort of unofficial church motto at LBC. However, it also comes as a reminder of the believer’s responsibility and privilege to be a bright-shining representative and ambassador for Christ in a darkened, unbelieving world. In Matthew 5:16, Christ preaches, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” As believers, we are to Shine the Light!

There has been so much emphasis upon “inreach” in churches and Christian organizations nowadays that outreach has taken a sort of backseat in many ministries. For many churchgoers, outreach is just one of several functional programs in the life of the body (i.e. hospital visitation, door-to-door evangelism, summer missions, etc.). There is a tendency to forget that Christians are a constant presentation of the gospel in their daily lives. 1 Timothy 3 lists the qualifications of a biblical elder and what is interesting is that very little is written about what the elder must do and much is written about what an elder must be. The more daunting fact that comes across is the comprehensive scope of the elder’s example. Whether in the home with wife or children, whether in the community with neighbors and unbelievers, whether in finances or pleasures, the elder is called to be an example of godly living. At any given moment of the day, anyone should be able to examine his life and say, “That is what being a Christian (let alone a Christian leader) is all about.”

Any believer is given the same responsibility of bearing consistent Christian character in everyday life. 1 Peter 2:12 exhorts us, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” In this clear statement regarding lifestyle evangelism, Peter instructs believers not to be conformed to the sinful practices of the world but to live holy lives so that it would lead to the salvation of those who observe their behavior. Certainly faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17), but the effectiveness of the proclamation of the gospel is weakened if it is done through a mouthpiece of unholy living.

Is your life an outreach ministry? Shine the light!