LET HIS LIGHT SHINE

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.

In Part A we looked at the first part of this verse and talked about what comes out of our mouth. At some point we all have complained and even participated in disputing, yet there is a simple remedy: "Before we speak filter our words through the Holy Spirit and ask ourselves these questions:

1. Does it edify?

2. Does it encourage?

3. Does it inspire?

4. Does it lead others to Christ?

Number 4 is the focus of today's session. The verse above says "among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life". Too often we find Christians, pastors, and ministries shining a spotlight on themselves and what they are doing rather than letting the light of Christ shine in them for others to see Jesus not them. We are not the source of the light nor can we produce the true light without the Holy Spirit within us. Yet, the coming Light that would come and be reflected through all of God's people was prophesied by Isaiah.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine ; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

Where the light of Christ is the darkness of the world must flee. Let us look in the book of John

John 1:4-5 in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:7-9 This man (John the Baptist) came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Let us take a moment to understand that the world and its value system is based on darkness. The ruler of this darkness is called by many names, Jesus at one point called him "the ruler of this world" in John 14:30, yet we call this ruler Satan. Once we also walked in this darkness under the influence of the world and its ruler, but then came that day when we turned from that darkness in repentance and turned to the Light in faith, from 1 Peter 2:9. Now each day we go out into the world, a world filled with darkness among people who walk in this darkness; now here is the question for each of us to ask ourselves: "When the people walking in darkness meet us do they see the Light of Christ reflecting through us, or do we look just like them?" Jesus said that if we, His church, would lift Him up He would draw all men to Himself. It is His light shining through His people that draws. Jesus gave this instruction for us:

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

When the word speaks of us being the light of the world it is speaking of our behavior as seen by others around us. My pastor recently preached a message about the light put under the basket,"when the enemy (Satan) brings oppression over our minds it is as if a basket has been placed over our light."  Our enemy desires to steal our joy, destroy our faith and kill the light within us; because Satan wants the people of this world to stay in his darkness and keep the light of Christ from shining through us and from drawing the lost to Jesus.

 We must hold fast the word of life,  persevering, remaining steadfast, not allowing the world, our flesh, or the devil hinder our walk in the light. There are times we must ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and reveal our daily walk to show areas that His light in us has become dim by shining the spotlight on ourselves, or being oppressed that our light is been his under a basket, ask the Lord does my behavior that others see reflect You, do others see me different from the rest of the world? Ask Lord show me what do others see when they watch me at work, at home, shopping, playing and yes at church? Part of our transformation is seeing the truth in ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. This transformation will bear His fruit and by His fruit in us we will lead others to Christ.