Pass It On!

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

As I was processing the learning with my camp group during Tribe Camp, one of the highlights of some of my group members was the structural experience of lighting up the candles and “passing it on” during the camp fire night. More than the singing of the song, many caught a glimpse of the significance of being the light of the world. What was unusual this time as compared to past candle lighting experiences was the way we organized ourselves – in concentric circles. The call to gather and form up in this manner by Pastor Seng Lee was according to him a response to the prompting of the Lord.

Pastor’s intention was to help each of us to appreciate the distinctive property of light in a backdrop of darkness. The sight of light was comforting to the eyes as it represents hope and security. As Christians, we are called to reflect the glory of God or the characteristics of Christ in this world (living testimonies) darkened by sin and the dominion of the devil.

As I was reflecting on the experience, a few things caught my attention. (Read on...)

As Warriors of Light, we are called to:

1) Pass It On

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Light and darkness in the Bible represent good and evil and they have no association with each other. I was reminded that as believers, we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and inherit the kingdom of light. Jesus, the Light of the world, was like the flame that lit up the candles of our lives, giving us hope. We are called to be the light, to be different for the Lord. The darker the world, the brighter the spark of light would be. What does it mean to be a warrior of light? May I suggest to you that it is about reflecting Christ in our attitude, actions and speech. It is about pleasing God and bringing a smile to Jesus.

During the candle lighting experience, I found myself fighting hard to prevent the flame from being extinguished by the wind. I felt the Lord impressing upon me that we need to guard the flame of our spiritual lives for without the flame, we have nothing to pass it on. The wind depicts life challenges, distractions and spiritual confrontations. As warriors of light, we need to fight to keep the flame blazing. Is your flame still burning strong today? Look to Jesus who can set us ablaze over and over again.

2) Pass It On Together

Ecc 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Deut 32:30 How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

Another interesting incident happened when we were passing the flame around. I was beside Evan and his candle flame was suddenly extinguished by a gust of wind. It gave me great delight to light his candle. Thinking that my candle flame would remain lighted throughout the whole experience, the next thing I knew, my candle flame was put out by a gust of wind too. I humbly received Evan’s aid to light my candle again. Through this incident, the Lord reminded me that we need one another to light up the community.

It is a collective task to impact the society. We need one another to finish strong and accomplish God’s highest purpose for our lives. We need one another to display the fullness of Christ to the lost world. If you want to flow with the corporate anointing, be part of a spiritual family. The Lord can do greater things through us as a united body than when we operate individually.

Are you a lone ranger in your walk with God? Be committed to a spiritual family as a warrior does not fight alone. Be enrolled in the army of God! Flow with the G12 vision!

3) Pass It On Together Faithfully
1 Col 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Just one spark can light up the whole setting eventually as the flame is passed from one person to another. Never underestimate the little act of kindness that God has prompted you to do. The one life that you have touched can in turn be used by the Lord to touch many other lives. You can count the number of seeds in an apple but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed. Our God is a God of how much more. He specializes in using the little that we offer to Him and multiplying it for His kingdom purposes.

What happens if everyone chooses to keep the flame to himself or herself and does not pass it on? We will then be short-changing others of God’s blessings and limiting the work of God in our lives. So choose to be a blessing to others today. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Each of us are given different talents and gifting by God. We are called to serve one another with what the Lord has blessed us so that the body of Christ may be complete, lacking nothing.

Essentially, it is not about how much you can do or achieve for God but how faithful you are in doing the things that He has entrusted you. He is a faithful God and He calls us to be faithful as well. Will you imitate Him? Will you be faithful to His call to participate in the 100K campaign?

Application

Phil 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Let’s be like-minded and be one in spirit and purpose in the bond of His love.
Let’s encourage one another to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.


Andrew Koh