In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus spoke:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
As the world grows darker, our light will become brighter and we must be careful not to live in isolation. When Jesus began His ministry, there were no other lights to be seen. John the Baptist could be “heard” but Jesus came so that we could “see” as well thus Jesus is our example. He is the first of many Sons and we should pattern our lives in the same manner for He expresses FATHER’S pure Divine Intent of Love.
A lampstand is meant to be placed strategically in a room so that all can see no matter where they are in the room. We should not become hidden from the world but are meant to be pure standards in the world expressing HIS Love for mankind. We need not judge the individuals whom we come in contact with for FATHER will take care of that responsibility but instead we are to provide hope by establishing what life is truly all about.
In Romans chapter 15, Paul wrote:
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.”
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The strong should bear the burden of the weak. Our egos and frustrations would demand the weak bear their own burdens which ultimately leads toward failure. Do we perpetuate failure by isolating ourselves from the weak or are we willing to take on the burden of their weakness out of Love? Forbearance means: patient self-control; restraint and tolerance. In Ephesians chapter 4 Paul further wrote:
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
How can we be in unity if we are always isolated from each other? Each of us are at different levels of maturity and understanding but that should not keep us from fellowshipping and bearing one another’s burdens. If we become judgmental we will not fellowship with anyone because we will always find an area where the other person is missing the mark. We must judge not lest we be judged. Let Love prevail and be the “glue” that allows us to overlook others’ weaknesses and let us look to be in agreement wherever and whenever possible. Let us allow our light to shine forth as we go into all the world. A light in an empty room has little or no value.