Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)
In my early college years and home on break, I was in our regular Saturday “money game.” My foursome was standing in the 18th fairway, waiting for the group ahead to finish.
In that group was a man known for having a “short fuse.” He was in the right greenside bunker. After his second attempt failed to extricate him from his plight, he stood staring at his ball with his hands on his hips. One hundred and fifty yards away, he couldn’t hear our group chuckle!
What happened next is one of those memories I would love to see vanish from my mental archives. This man threw his club, pointed his finger toward heaven, and began cursing God in the second person.
By contrast, we had another man at our club who was an outstanding player. Like all of us, he would have his share of errant shots. I never saw him—not once—act unbecomingly after a lousy shot. That behavior tends to leave a deep impression on a young man.
I deeply admired this gentleman, not only because he was a “good stick” but because he carried himself with such poise. Even when he didn’t have his “A-game,” he consistently demonstrated himself to be a man with sterling character.
Most of us know that young Bobby Jones struggled with anger occasionally. Once, he threw a club at the U.S. Open that hit a female fan in the leg. If the reports are accurate, USGA president Howard F. Whitney delivered a good “tongue lashing” to the then 19-year-old Jones.
Good behavior, especially when facing difficulty on the golf course, can build a platform from which we can communicate the gospel to others. Assuming we carry ourselves in a manner that represents Christ, our conduct can cause others to see the light of Christ.
Matthew tells us that our good works are analogous to light. That is, when we find ourselves in a “spot of bother” and conduct ourselves in Christ-honoring ways, people take notice. Often, this opens a door for Christians to communicate the gospel with winsome and persuasive words.
Peter teaches us the same thing when he writes: “Have no fear of them [nonbelievers], nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense [make a case for the gospel] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect….(1 Peter 3: 15-16).
The following four elements are essential if we are to shine brightly in a dark world: sterling character, a solid understanding of Scripture, discerning the right moment to engage others, and a life committed to bringing glory to God “in all things.”
Cultivating the habit of rising early, asking Jesus in prayer for opportunities to share the gospel, and walking in a manner worthy of the gospel will lead to a life that bears much fruit, bringing glory to God.
Darkness, sadly, is increasing in our culture. Let’s commit to taking our light out from underneath the basket to shine brightly for King Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus! Open a door for me to share the good news with someone today!