In our fashion-conscious world, it is amazing how much time and money is devoted to improving the external appearance. Hours are spent each day trying to make hair softer, shinier, and sexier. Preparations are offered to protect our skin from the sun and at the same time produce the coveted golden tan. Some even gain their brown exterior in an artificial way with “space age, state of the art” tanning machines. A movie star complexion can be attained by investing just minutes each day.
What if, as a Christian, I spend too much time and energy on my exterior? I am talking about that part of me that I show to the world. Christians are expected to look and act a certain way. Even among ourselves, we maintain appearances. It would be very easy for me to put on my Sunday face and appear to be something that I am not. Armed with everything I have heard at Sunday service, seen on Christian television, and read in Christian books I could venture forth into this world displaying a face that glows in the dark. Now I am “looking good!” I really have it “made in the shade,” right?
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (I John 1:6 NAS).
How does shade fit into this verse? The darkness mentioned in this verse represents sin. I believe that anything in my life that gets in the way of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is sin. Within this definition, sin may not appear as darkness. It might appear as shade or even light. But God is not a half-stepper, “...God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all…” (1 John 1:5b NAS). If I am not walking fully in His light, then I am walking in darkness.
How can I use this in my life each day? Let me try to explain. Flashlights are familiar objects to all of us. They're made up of batteries, a bulb, and a switch. Turn on the switch and light emanates from the bulb. But what happens if the switch is left on too long? The light grows dim. Why? Some would say that the batteries are weak. I think it is because they are full of darkness. Batteries, contrary to popular belief, are dark absorbers. I am also an absorber. The Lord Jesus wants me to be full of light, but I can absorb anything I choose. Now if the battery in my car goes dead, I may be able to start the engine by getting a “jump start” from another battery. But this will be only temporary if my car’s charging system is inoperable. Likewise, if I do not make time each day for fellowship with the Lord Jesus, I am depending on a “jump start” instead of plugging into the Source.
When I became a Christian, I discovered the ministries of the Holy Spirit. First, He came to live inside me (indwelling). Second, I learned that if I asked, He would fill me with His presence (filling). However, here is a key problem. I cannot be full of light if I am already full of shade; “but if I confess my sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NAS). Having been cleansed by God Himself, there is room to be filled with His light, and I can have fellowship with Him, “...and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (I John 1:3b NAS). He speaks to my heart through prayer. He feeds me through His Holy Word. If I fellowship with the T.V. instead of the Master, I have in effect chosen the sun lamp instead of the SON LAMP! The tan may look the same, but we know it was made in the shade.
Made in the Shade
In our fashion-conscious world, it is amazing how much time and money is devoted to improving the external appearance. Hours are spent each day trying to make hair softer, shinier, and sexier. Preparations are offered to protect our skin from the sun and at the same time produce the coveted golden tan. Some even gain their brown exterior in an artificial way with “space age, state of the art” tanning machines. A movie star complexion can be attained by investing just minutes each day.
What if, as a Christian, I spend too much time and energy on my exterior? I am talking about that part of me that I show to the world. Christians are expected to look and act a certain way. Even among ourselves, we maintain appearances. It would be very easy for me to put on my Sunday face and appear to be something that I am not. Armed with everything I have heard at Sunday service, seen on Christian television, and read in Christian books I could venture forth into this world displaying a face that glows in the dark. Now I am “looking good!” I really have it “made in the shade,” right?
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (I John 1:6 NAS).
How does shade fit into this verse? The darkness mentioned in this verse represents sin. I believe that anything in my life that gets in the way of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is sin. Within this definition, sin may not appear as darkness. It might appear as shade or even light. But God is not a half-stepper, “...God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all…” (1 John 1:5b NAS). If I am not walking fully in His light, then I am walking in darkness.
How can I use this in my life each day? Let me try to explain. Flashlights are familiar objects to all of us. They're made up of batteries, a bulb, and a switch. Turn on the switch and light emanates from the bulb. But what happens if the switch is left on too long? The light grows dim. Why? Some would say that the batteries are weak. I think it is because they are full of darkness. Batteries, contrary to popular belief, are dark absorbers. I am also an absorber. The Lord Jesus wants me to be full of light, but I can absorb anything I choose. Now if the battery in my car goes dead, I may be able to start the engine by getting a “jump start” from another battery. But this will be only temporary if my car’s charging system is inoperable. Likewise, if I do not make time each day for fellowship with the Lord Jesus, I am depending on a “jump start” instead of plugging into the Source.
When I became a Christian, I discovered the ministries of the Holy Spirit. First, He came to live inside me (indwelling). Second, I learned that if I asked, He would fill me with His presence (filling). However, here is a key problem. I cannot be full of light if I am already full of shade; “but if I confess my sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NAS). Having been cleansed by God Himself, there is room to be filled with His light, and I can have fellowship with Him, “...and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (I John 1:3b NAS). He speaks to my heart through prayer. He feeds me through His Holy Word. If I fellowship with the T.V. instead of the Master, I have in effect chosen the sun lamp instead of the SON LAMP! The tan may look the same, but we know it was made in the shade.