What Happens When One's Light is Dimmed?

 This is kind of a continuation of my thoughts that I shared in "What Happens When Salt Loses It's Saltiness?", in which I laid out a recent experience that I had with a group of people that indicated to me that they seem to have lost their saltiness. Their willing submission to the pagan worship of a demon god in a Christian home indicated to me that their presence in this world is having little effect on those around them who need to taste the flavour of God's presence. They believe that they are making a difference and hope that their acquiescence in the name of tolerance will bring someone that they care about to God, but my position is that, after potentially two years of bringing this young man into their homes with there being very little sign that he is at all interested in what they believe, their approach seems to have come up empty to this point.

In that article, I referenced Matthew 5:13-16, which reads, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 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." 

These Believers have allowed their saltiness to become bland; to have no effect. Yusef does not appear to be drawn to their beliefs because he has not seen any difference between himself and them. They are wonderful people who have opened up their homes to him, but it is possible, and even likely, that he has experienced this kind of acceptance in the two other countries where he told me he has lived previously, both of which are Muslim countries. He may very well be receiving their actions as simple friendliness and hospitality. He has not tasted the flavour of God's love in their interactions. He has been exposed to the beliefs of these people, but not to the difference that these beliefs make in their lives.

Christians are supposed to be the salt and the light to the world. We are set apart from the world by our belief in Jesus and His gift of salvation, and this is what we are supposed to be bringing to the world. But again going back to Matthew 5, if we are hiding our light from the eyes of the world, what are we accomplishing for Him?

"A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (v.14), but if their light is hidden, are they acting like a city on a hill? We are talking about the contrast between darkness and light, so let's discuss what we see when we approach a city in the dark of night.

A number of years ago, I was driving in the U.S., having travelled to pick up something that I had purchased. I was driving in unfamiliar territory in the dark, so I did not know what to expect around the next curve or over the next hill. As it turns out, I was driving very near to a large city, but because it was nestled in the lowlands of surrounding hills, I was completely unaware of it's presence until the road brought me to an area between the hills, and I was surprised to see a large city right beside me, having been hidden by the hills. I only had a view of that city for about ten minutes or less, and then it was gone from view again, hidden by the hills. My travelling companion had fallen asleep and missed the city entirely.

On the contrary, when we are driving and there is a city in the distance that is situated on the top of a hill, those lights can be seen for miles. It can actually be difficult to determine how far away that city is when the lights are visible from so far away. Even if there is a large distance between us and that city, we can sense it's presence and what it has to offer because we can see the light emanating from it. We may also view it as a place of refuge in the wilderness; a place of safety if we are surrounded by unfamiliar territory.

I would argue that the group of people that I was with are like the city in the bowl of the hills. The light is there, but those who are travelling nearby are unaware of it's existence unless something happens that gives them a glimpse of that light; yet just as quickly, that glimpse can be blocked and the light is quickly forgotten. 

I have no idea how long Yusef will be studying in Canada. He took what I think is likely at least one of the last exams that is required of him on New Year's day. I know that he would like to remain in Canada, and his Visa allows him another three years here, but I don't know if he will be allowed to stay when his permission has expired. It is possible that his time here is limited and he may never get a glimpse of the light that is carefully hidden behind that veil of tolerance.

These Believers have allowed their lamp to be hidden; the light of it to be dimmed out of concern of offending a friend. I think that there should be more loving concern for the state of his soul than the state of their friendship. There could potentially be a long lasting friendship there that still results in Yusef experiencing the flames of the Lake of Fire instead of the wonders of Paradise because these people refuse to let their light shine. 

I want to tell this group that they need to be the light on the hill, but as I mentioned in my last article, I have little to no capital with them. Yusef should not be surprised that they are trying to bring him to Christ and not just befriending him because he is friendly and easy to talk with. He should know that they are actively trying to bring him into a relationship with Jesus Christ, the only One that can save his soul from eternal torment. The willingness of this group to leave Yusef wallowing in the filth of his pagan religious beliefs, beliefs that he does not even hold close, is of grave concern to me! They have intentionally dimmed their light and it is entirely possible that Yusef will pass from their lives having never felt the warmth of it and having never had the brightness of it illuminate the darkness that sits over his own life due to the pagan worship that he takes part in simply because that is what he grew up with. He doesn't even know that he has a better option.

I see this group only three to four times a year. I suspect that Yusef will be a part of our gatherings from now on, but my exposure to him is limited unless God instructs me to intervene on his behalf where the others are failing him. A soul hangs in the balance and those who know better are hiding behind the veil of tolerance. The veil in the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom at the moment of Jesus's death (Matthew 27:51), removing the barrier that God Himself had erected to protect mankind from His Holiness. Now people have erected a veil of tolerance which serves to keep God's Holiness in them from being made visible to those around them who are stumbling around in the dark, not even knowing that there is a near light source. 

Matthew 5:16 says, "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." We are not called to be the light in our prayer closet; we are called by God to be the light to the world. A light on a hill is recognizable from a distance, as our faith should be. There should be no doubt about what we believe and our desire for those around us to come to the same saving knowledge that we have. Our unbelieving friends should know that we want them to come to Christ, though they should not feel like that is the only reason that we are friends with them. The light and warmth of our faith should draw them to God. They should know that we are battling for their souls out of our legitimate concern for their eternal well-being.

Let our light be visible from a distance, Lord, and let the warmth of Your love draw others to us, and ultimately to You. I pray that the fire of God's light grows too large and too intense to be hidden from view. I pray that the fear of having our loved ones and neighbours fall short of entering Paradise becomes much stronger than our fear of offending others.