by David Falk | Download PDF | Purchase Hardcopy

The term ‘lamp’ can have many different meanings depending on the context in which we hear it. Typically though, we could say that a lamp is something that has the potential to shine. By this definition, each one of us is a lamp. We are vessels with the potential to shine. In today’s society, when we think of a light, we tend to think of something that’s run by electricity. Of course, this has not always been the case. Rather than using electricity, the lamp of the Bible was a vessel containing oil, and fire ignited this oil. All three of these elements were essential if there was to be light. Even if only two were present, the light could not shine.

When Scripture tells us that we should be ‘the light of the world’, it is referring to this picture of a ‘lamp’. Matt 5:14. Let’s consider each of these elements in relation to us.

Scripture tells us that we are a vessel. When a potter is crafting a vessel, there is a lot of moulding and changing the shape into exactly what He has planned. Then the kiln is fired to solidify and finalise the shape. Just as the potter does to the clay, so the Father is fashioning your vessel to what He has intended you to be. The Lord declares, ‘Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand’. Jer 18:6.  

A vessel ‘useful to the Master’ is able to receive oil. 2 Tim 2:21. The oil is the word of God, the supply of the Spirit of Christ. The book of Ecclesiastes says, ‘Let not oil be lacking upon your head’. Eccl 9:8. If you have no oil, you will have no light. Should we attempt to ignite an empty vessel, then that vessel will be ruined. We would all be aware of the damage caused to a pot that boils dry on the stove. Further to this, if we ignite an empty vessel, the fire will not last. It is important to realise that we cannot supply oil to ourselves. A lamp cannot fill itself with oil. It needs to be filled. This is the supply of the Spirit of Christ. Paul spoke of being delivered by the prayers of the Philippians and the ‘supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ’. Phil 1:19. We can see that it is only in a fellowship and by the word that we receive the oil. 

To the vessel and oil, we then add fire. When we receive the word of Christ, the Holy Spirit ignites the oil in our vessels. This is the very fire flame of the Lord. Interestingly, the Scripture associates fire with affliction. The fire is the refining process, when affliction is applied to our vessels. But further to this, it is affliction that comes because of the word we have heard. We are reminded here of the parable of the sower and the stony ground. This is the affliction we face as a result of standing in the word we have heard. In practice, it may be as simple as a family member putting you down because of your beliefs. It may be more generally to do with being a Christian, or it may be to do with the response you’ve made to a particular word. This kind of affliction comes to light your lamp. If you are being afflicted, you can be confident that the Lord is meeting your lamp with fire. And it is right here that the life of Christ is seen in you. Remember that the life is the light. ‘In Him was life, and the life was the light of men’. John 1:4.  

When these three elements are properly in place then we can consider the purpose of a light. The purpose of a light is not to shine on itself or reveal itself. We are not often pre-occupied with the actual light source. You don’t sit in a room, thinking about the light. You just turn on the light and continue to do what you are doing. In shining, a lamp lights a room or a pathway so that others can walk. It shows them which way to go, or alternatively, not to go. The light allows us to see the things around us. Have you ever tried finding things in the dark? While you fumble around, you cannot operate or walk properly. Likewise, in our Christian journey, we do not walk in the dark, or alone. We light the way for others and they light the way for us. It is in this way, that we reveal another.

The Lord wants to light your lamp. The psalmist proclaimed, ‘For you will light my lamp’. Psa 18:28. He wants to see the full radiant brightness of your light. So the question is this: How does He light your lamp? The answer is self evident. When we hear and respond to the word, that word becomes to us the oil of the Spirit of Christ. Then as we pray, the fire of the Holy Spirit ignites the oil in our vessels.  

The Bible speaks of five wise and five foolish virgins. Matt 25:1-13. The five wise virgins came and waited at the gate for the bridegroom to arrive. They had enough oil to ensure their lamps would not go out while they waited. They were continually devoted to the word they were hearing. The five foolish virgins came with some oil and their lamps were burning. But as they waited, the oil ran low or ran down. Hence they were compelled to go again and buy more oil. Recalling the conclusion of the parable, the bridegroom came while they were away. These five are like those who have heard a word in times past, but have not continued in that word as it grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24. The five foolish virgins couldn’t hear the immediate word. When the word is proceeding, then the oil is filling your vessel. And when the fire of affliction is entering your vessel then your lamp is burning.

We must not be as the Israelites of old who resisted the word. If you harden your heart to the word then you will not receive the Spirit of Christ. The Father has given you a vessel and He is giving you oil. He is sending forth the Spirit of the Son into our hearts. Gal 4:6. He is pouring in the oil of the word so that we are born as sons of light. 1 Thess 5:5. The oil, or word, has got to be met by your prayers. This activates the fire of God. And then like the psalmist we say, ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’. Psa 119:105. If you receive the word and the Spirit of Christ, along with the fire, then your light will shine. All men will see ‘your good works   and glorify your Father in heaven’. Matt 5:16.

Author: David Falk | Toowoomba Christian Fellowship TCF
Published by Vision One at Toowoomba Christian Fellowship TCF
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