SUNDAY January 2, 2022

Shine as Lights

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 or labored in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16

Underline verse 14 in your Bible. Some Christians constantly murmur and complain; they need to stop, as there is nothing to complain about! They have salvation––eternity in heaven. Neither should Christians get into fights by disputing. The word disputing means “questioning or doubting.” If you get into disputes with other believers, where is the unity? Do not bring up divisive questions and get into arguments. Promote unity instead.

Notice, Paul reveals our position in this world. As Christians, we are lights shining forth in a world that is dark, crooked and perverse. Yet many Christians try to escape from where God has placed them. He has orchestrated that you be in a particular job, university, or wherever else to be a light––shining forth so people can see your testimony. There are 100’s, 1000’s, and 1,000,000’s of people who need Jesus Christ!

Paul, as a theologian, lived in expectation of the Lord’s coming. The term The Day of Christ, is always in reference to the Rapture of the Church. In the Bible you will also come across the phrase The Day of the Lord. This is when God comes in His wrath and judgment! The Church will not be here for the Day of the Lord. The Lord will come for His Church and take us out of this world. Then we can rejoice, knowing that for whatever we have done for Jesus on this earth, in eternity, we shall receive a reward.

Knowing we are living in such dark times, let us all move forward in serving the Lord with a renewed hope––for our redemption draws near. Do your best for Jesus! Shine as lights and live in the expectancy of Christ’s imminent return. We need to be ready!

A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!