Jesus said of John the Baptist, “He was a burning and a shining light” (John 5:35). There is a price to be paid to be a true witness of Jesus, a burning and shining light.
In these days we are so desiring of the fire of God. Do we realise that the cost of shining is burning. The Bible asks, “Does not My word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). As we open ourselves to the power of God’s Word, all within us that is wood, hay or stubble is consumed by its flame.

Will you let the truth of God’s unchanging Word have its way in your life? In your thoughts, your hopes, and your aspirations? In your opinions, your attitudes, and your behavior? In your family, and your friendships? If you say yes, you will be transformed into a burning and shining light; and you will be counted great in the Kingdom of God.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced the fire of His presence and said in Luke 24:32, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

On the other hand, you can light your own fire and burn out in no time, with nothing to show for the one life you have lived.
The best choice you can make is to yield your heart to Christ and let Him be honored by the light of your ignited life, loving the Word, illuminated by His Spirit and being changed from glory to glory.

We are messengers of that light. Paul affirmed this in 2 Corinthians 3:3, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts”.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
And He will say of you on that day, “This one was a burning and shining light.”