BELIEVERS SHINING AS LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).
True believers are spoken of "as children of God"And, as “sons of God” we are expected to “shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:16). Just as the stars shine in the heavens all the time, so we, heaven-bound people, are to shine for the Lord (Numbers 6:24-26; compared with Proverbs 4:18). We are to shine: (1) as Moses did (Exodus 34:29); (2) as John the Baptist did (John 5:35); (3) as Stephen did (Acts 6:15), and, as the Lord Himself did while He was physically here on the earth(Matthew 17:2). To shine for the Lord is the very essence of our believers' service, and, commitment to the Lord, and it is for all believers, even new converts (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14).
WHERE ARE WE TO SHINE?
Philippians 2:15; 1 John 2:15-17; John 17:11,15; Matthew 5:14,15
We are to shine In “the world” (Philippians 2:15). This refers to, first, any place in the world in which we live, and, also to the world system which opposes and excludes Christ, and which we are commanded not to love (1 John 2:15-17). A believer is in the world, but he is not to be of it (John 17:11,15). Also, we are to shine as light “In a crooked and perverse" generation (Philippians 2:15 Proverbs 2:13-15; Isaiah 53:6). The generation we are now is a generation that is engulfed in a dreadful spiritual and moral darkness, and need the light of God desperately! First, is the spirit of ignorance that envelope many in these last days - ignorance against God and spiritual things, and heaven's indictment of a world that knows not God (Romans 1:21-32), is still up-to-date. Looking around us, we see gross moral darkness covering the earth and sin abounding everywhere, as is indicated by the increase in divorce, drunkenness and drug addiction, gambling, crime, sexual offences and corruption generally, just like in the days before the Flood (Genesis 6:5; Matthew 24:37). It is in this crooked and depraved generation that we are commanded to shine for the Lord in public (Matthew 5:14), and in private (Matthew 5:15).
HOW ARE WE TO SHINE?
Philippians 2:15,16; Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16
The Bible uses the illustration of the light in a lamp to describe vividly how we believers are to shine as lights in the world. The wick of the lamp must be connected to oil and lightened with fire so that it begins to shine. It also uses the candle to describe believers. We are to be lighten with fire and be placed on the candlestick (never to be hidden under the bed) so that we can shine. Likewise, the lamp must never be placed under a bushel so that it will give light to all (Matthew 5:15,16; Luke 8:16). Also, in Philippians 2:15 and 16, we see clearly, five characteristics of the life that is shining for the Lord, which are messages to us today. Now, we are to shine (1) by not complaining, or murmuring (Philippians 2:14; See also, Numbers 20:2; 21:5; Acts 6:1 compared with (1 Corinthians 10:10). Murmuring is done in obscurity. A person who live his life murmuring and complaining all the time cannot shine as light in the world. Also we are to shine (2) by not arguing (Philippians 2:14). An affection for unwise gossip, blind arguments and assembly of carnal contenders who are deceptively in the house of God will never allow a believer to shine Furthermore, we are to shine: (3) by living the life that is “blameless” (Philippians 2:15) - a life completely trustworthy without any sinful fault (see Daniel 6:4). Also, we are to shine (4) by being pure within, and holy without (verse 15), living a life of wholesomeness and sincerity in all our motives (John 1:47; 1 Peter 2:1). In addition, we are to shine (5) by being “without rebuke” (Philippians 2:15). This means, we are to live in such a way that we do not have to be corrected or chastened by the Lord because of carelessness and because of failure to judge ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:30- 32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). More so, we are to shine (6) by “holding forth the word of life” (verse 16). This refers to our active witness in preaching the gospel and making known God's salvation through faith in Christ. We do this by personal witness, preaching, publicising, publishing, informal meetings, letter-writing, and by many other ways. Above all, such “holding forth” must be accompanied by a pure life that is consistent in walk with God. And lastly, (7) we are to shine by living in readiness for “the day of Christ” (Philippians 2:16). The apostle refers to the Judgement Seat of Christ and reminds us that we are to live and labour day by day in the light of this solemn time of reward or loss (Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
WHY ARE WE TO SHINE?
Matthew 5:16; Philippians 1:20; John 3:30; Ezekiel 33:8,9; Philippians 2:16
We are shining: (1) that God the Father may be glorified. Notice the last six words in Matthew 5:16. There is only one life that will glorify Him, and that is the Christ-filled, Spirit-controlled life that shines before men and commends Him to them. Also, we are shining: (2) that the Lord Jesus may be magnified. To magnify a thing is to make it appear as big as it should be, and Christians by their shining as witnesses are to magnify the Lord Jesus before the world. Just as lamps magnify the light, so we are to magnify Him (Philippians 1:20). Furthermore, we are shining: (3) that we may continue to abide in Christ, while He alone will be seen and glorified. A LAMP does not attract attention to itself; it is the LIGHT that attracts (John 3:30). In addition, remember that there can be no shining without burning, and 'burning' means sacrifice. It is when we are willing to let self-go that Christ becomes all and in all (Matthew 16:24-25). Finally, we are shining: (4) that sinners may be saved. We are to shine before men with the road traffic RED LIGHT of warning (Ezekiel 33:8-9), AMBER LIGHT of cautioning, and, constantly show the GREEN LIGHT, or, the “all clear” light of a consistent and brightly burning life. By doing all these, we shall lead sinners to the Saviour, depopulate hell and populate heaven, and, on the last day, we will receive “well done”, and be greatly rewarded by the Lord (Philippians 2:16; Matthew 25:21 compare 2 Corinthians 5:10).
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