Once we’ve been saved, why has Jesus left us in this world? Once we’ve trusted in Him as Savior and bowed the knee to Him as Lord, why doesn’t He just whisk us off into Heaven the way He did with Enoch (Genesis 5:24)?

Well, what can we do here on earth that we couldn’t do in Heaven? The most obvious thing is that we can continue to sin, and it wouldn’t make very much sense for God to leave us here to flout His will! But there are two other things we can do. We can suffer at the hands of those who don’t know Christ. And we can share the gospel with those who don’t know Christ. In either case, it’s obvious that Jesus has left Christians in this world to bear witness to unbelievers.

For what does Jesus say in today’s passage? The only reason people light a lamp is so that it will shine brightly into the darkness (Luke 8:16). In the same way, it just doesn’t make sense for us to conceal our faith. Instead, we should display our trust in Christ with all our words and deeds, demonstrating the same sort of self-sacrificial, unconditional love for others that Christ has shown to us, regardless of how they treat us in return.

And Jesus promises a blessing to those who bear such faithful witness to Him. For as we shine His light into the darkness, we’ll have more light in our lives. As we tell His truth to others, we’ll understand more and more about Him. As we show His love to others, we’ll have more love to share. As Jesus says, “Whoever has, to him shall more be given” (Luke 8:18).

So today, let’s let our little light shine, no matter how dark it may be around us. After all, that’s why we’re all still here.

Luke 8:16-18

16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light.
17 “For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.
18 “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”