2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
LORD’S DAY, MAY 14
Philippians 2:12-16
Matthew 5:13-16
“…ye shine as
lights in the world.”
LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
In the Bible, the world of sin is often portrayed as being in darkness, whereas Christ is the light that shines in this darkness (John 1:1-9). When Christians are described as shining lights in the world, we are to be reflections of Christ’s brightness, like how the moon shines in the darkness of the night sky. It does not have any inherent light of its own, yet the moon shines brightly because it reflects the light of the sun. Likewise, amid this crooked and perverse world, our testimonies are to be like shining lights, not for our own glory’s sake, but to show forth the glory of the Light of the world, who is Jesus (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).
When we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, when we do all things without murmurings and disputings, others around us would notice a difference. They will witness our Christian testimony. We can be seen as blameless (irreproachable, faultless) and harmless (innocent, simple, without guile), without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse people. We will be recognised as sons of God, for as true children of God, we reflect the attributes of our Father.
The world is a sinful place. However, through Christ, we have been changed. We have seen the Light and are now called to shine as lights for Him. We no longer have to conform to the wicked ways of the world. We must instead be distinct from the world. The way that you respond to situations around must be different; the way that you interact with the people around must be different; the way that you conduct yourselves and make choices must be different.
This difference in our lives is what causes us to shine for Christ. Just as light is opposed to darkness, so must our lives be completely opposed to the ways of the world. That is the testimony that we are called to bear for Christ, that others may see and come to know Christ as well.
THOUGHT: “In this world of darkness we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.”
PRAYER: Father, help me to shine forth as a bright light for Thee in this dark world.