Week Forty-Six - Radiant

Our Saviour is often portrayed with deep melancholy eyes and a solemn look. Only the artist’s subtle halo hints at His true radiance. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, but He was also a man of unfathomable love radiating to those around Him. He drew people to Himself and they sought His company. They heard His words joyfully. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. He loved the little children and they loved Him. Why? Because of the radiance of His personality. His welcoming and loving nature contrasted with the religious leaders around Him. He was free from the law, and His demeanour mirrored liberty.

     Do you doubt it? Just read the gospels and look for yourself. The New Testament opens with a joyous message, a new life, a new hope, and a charge of energy—a radiance unlike the Old Testament.

     This new radiance carried the disciples through beatings, stoning, shipwreck, and prison with the call, “Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Their boldness shone from the radiance of Christ anchored within their hearts. It came through their voices, and eyes, and handshakes as they drew men to Christ, preached the Good News, and hazarded their lives.

     Leslie Weatherhead, in his book, Jesus and Ourselves, says Jesus derived his radiance from three sources. “(1) He had no sense of sin. (2) He was doing God’s will. (3) He was certain of God.” (p 218) These three things bring radiance to our lives as well.
     Do we live with a sense of sin? Guilt? Not secure in our position in Christ as forgiven? “If God has put your sins behind His back you must put them behind yours.” (p 219) Take it to the cross, dear friend, and leave it there. Purity is radiant.

     And what are you doing with your life? Do you understand that your life is sacred? Everything you do is to be done as unto Christ. Your job, schooling, parenting, service, ministry, etc., everything is for Him. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

     We are to be doing His will. He blesses and uses us in even the most mundane and common service dedicated to His glory. We live for Him with the understanding that our life is no longer our own, but His to live through us. Galatians 2:20 “the life which I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). We serve the Lord Christ.           
     Lay self aside, and look for His hand in every dish you wash, every conversation you hold, every sale you make. You’ll be surprised how much radiance this brings to your life.

     And certainty? Are you certain of God? Jesus was. He knew that all things lie within the circle of God’s redeeming activity. If I face pain, God is there. Let me cooperate with Him for His glory.  If I come to disaster, let me remember that God alone has the final word.
     Even through tears I become more certain of God, for tears clear my vision of Him. “Happiness may spring from the heels, but radiance only springs from the heart; a heart quiet and steady, deep and strong, unselfish and disciplined” (p 220). Confidence is radiant.

    Psalm 34:5 “They looked unto him, and were lightened (radiant): and their faces were not ashamed.”

     Dear friend, radiance is there as a testimony of the Light of Life within you. Let your little light shine! Don’t hide it under a bushel or dampen it with ungodly living. Live in purity, willingness of service, and confidence. Then, and only then, can it be said of you, “…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).