Message from Scripture: 11/12/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is Phil. 2:15; “Prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.’”

 

It’s easy to resemble the world around us, a generation that is crooked and perverse, because of the influence of sin in our lives. Our words and deeds should prove us to be blameless and innocent of the way of the world, of living a sinful lifestyle. Paul reminds us we are to be lights in the world around us, in a world controlled by the darkness of sin. What does this mean to us about how we should live in Christ?

 

First, it means we are to be like Jesus. Jesus said He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He throws light on the meaning and purpose for life and points the way to happiness and fulfillment. This is what He did during His earthly ministry, and it what we as His disciples should do to enlighten the world with truth, to follow in His footsteps. We shouldn’t reflect the darkness of sin, but the image of our Lord. So He tells us in Matt. 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” speaking of our example to others.

 

Second, it means we are the only way the world will ever discern the difference between dark and light. Sin is deceptive, and so those enslaved to it think it’s light for them, when it’s darkness. They become deceived of their true spiritual condition and can end up condemned because of it. We need to dispel the darkness of ignorance, of impurity, of superstition, of unrelieved sorrow, of a hopeless death. Paul said, “For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Eph. 5:14).

 

Light cannot be ignored except by those who close their eyes. Let’s walk in the light, letting our light shine for the Lord, and see the difference it makes in us and the world around us. God bless.

 

Robert