“…her candle goeth not out by night.” Proverbs 31:18
I am struck by this passage when reading about the virtuous woman, the picture of the true Church in Proverbs 31. Who burns their candle all night long? And why would you do that? I dare say that most of us turn the lights off when we go to bed. But not the virtuous woman. She keeps her light burning throughout the entire night.
As Christians, we rejoice in our salvation and celebrate our transformation from death, but for a truly converted Christian, it will not end there. He will look back into the darkness and light a candle so others can see the lighthouse of safety and come out of that world of darkness. That desire to hold up a light and to let it burn all night long so that others can see it is something that only comes from the grace of God..
Grace transforms us and changes the way we look at things. Those who have been truly transformed by grace are no longer satisfied with attending bland church services, fellowshipping with other complacent believers in ivory halls of contentment, and warming themselves by the coals of indifference. Something inside them cannot rest while others are dying. The realities of darkness become stark when seen from that place of light. The dark seems darker and the despair seems more desperate. While others seek the calm serenity of their chapels and cathedrals, there are those who want to set up a rescue station one foot away from the very Gates of Hell. Light the candle and let it burn all night long!
Grace is not just “undeserved mercy”. It is the fountain from which mercy flows. And mercy gives birth to charity, and charity is the very essence of the entire Gospel, the main theme of the Cross, the whole reason why Jesus died and the central reason of why we were called to salvation. Without grace, we are but tinkling bells and a sounding cymbal – plenty of noise and pretty music, but lacking substance.
Grace also produces righteousness. We assume that “works” are the antithesis of grace, but that is not so. Works are the evidence of grace. It is grace working in us that brings us to a place of righteousness before God. Grace was never meant to be a cheap and easy covering for sin, but is that which gives us the power to overcome sin. Grace produces righteousness, and righteousness establishes the promises of God and ushers us into His presence.
Grace is the river of Life that flows from the Throne of God through us so that we may be a reflection of His glory. The true purpose of grace is not to excuse sin, but so that world can see God as their savior to save them from sin. Grace is the Light of Jesus Christ burning in us to beckon those who are lost to come out of the darkness and into His glorious light.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)