Rev. Don Campbell

The word “luster” means to shine in the physical sense, but it also means “glory or distinction.” Paul said, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:17-18). Christian should reflect the luster of Jesus to the world. We need to add another word: “tarnish,” which means to lose or cause to lose luster.

There are a lot of things that tarnish our image as Christians, but we shall consider just one. By adding one letter to the word “luster,” we get “bluster.” The Collins English Dictionary says, “If you say that someone is blustering, you mean that they are speaking aggressively but without authority, often because they are angry or offended.”

Beware of blustering because it will tarnish the luster that comes from Christ. Blustering preachers in the pulpit tarnish the luster of Christ. Blustering Christians on Facebook tarnish the image of Christ. Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not calling anyone to be a lackluster Christian: “lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring.”