John 5:35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
In this time of trouble and fear, distinctions are made between the true and false, the mature and immature, the spiritual and the carnal, the lamps and the light bulbs
Lightbulb Christians are able to emit light but the source is not related to a flame. There is no heat, there is no burning and at any moment the delicate inner workings of the bulb could be disturbed by some shaking or other, burst, and the light be extinguished. The lightbulb Christian can be shining or not based on the flip of a switch that anything in proximity to it has access to. Life is good and all is happy-the switch is flipped on and the light is shining. However a little trouble comes into the life and it flips the switch off and the source of power is interrupted. The lamp Christian, however, depends upon the burning of the oil that is contained within and as long as there is a continual supply there is a continual burning and shining.
A lightbulb with its artificial, man-made light, can shine without burning. But a lamp must burn in order to shine. The Holy Spirit will be faithful to provide the oil we need – so let us burn and let us shine.
He is my Delight 