by David Brenneman
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;" Matthew 5:14
How brightly is the light of Jesus Christ shining in you? If we take this passage to heart, then there's supposed to be a light for all the world to see.
When you are amongst people, do the attributes of Jesus show? Do your words edify others? Or...do they tear down? Our world justifies every single type of sinful action. We justify anger, justify even so-called joy as defined by the world. We certainly do whatever is right in our own eyes.
But what about you, my Dear Reader, what about you?
Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christ follower? Or would you blend in so well with society that no difference can be seen?
Paul wrote many admonitions towards what a life in Christ is supposed to look like....in essence...what the light of Jesus Christ is supposed to look like.
Remembering widows and orphans is high on God’s list of priorities.
"Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.
"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:8.
Statistics are worthless in light of knowing Jesus. Entertainment has its place but is worthless in light of knowing Jesus. What we can allow our time to be consumed with can degrade our relationship with Jesus.
Yes, you CAN willingly pursue things that may in every way provide joy, peace, happiness, and yet not grow you in Christ.
I honestly was sick to my stomach when a brother in Christ was saying he would pray for me because I wasn't a fan of a certain sports team. Essentially because I wasn't "enjoying" it. We should only be encouraging others into a right relationship with Jesus, period. Your Spiritual Gifts given to you after coming to Christ for salvation are only for two things. Growing in Christ and so that the light of Jesus Christ shines through you to the fallen world around you.
The deeds done in your body...only what was done for Jesus in service to Him is all that will matter. Every single other action, activity, thought, intention that had nothing to do with what you did in your life will be burned up.
So, my Friend, what are you doing to be intentional about this light of Jesus Christ so that it's seen by the world around you?
You may not see it or realize it but either you are allowing it to shine or you are hiding it.
Your sin nature is still a part of your life and you either listen to what it has to say or you listen to the Spirit. But you will listen to one or the other.
It's been an ongoing problem in human history concerning idolatry. Our world is drowning in it. Every single sport, every single movie, every single political faction, everything has the ability to take the place of God in our hearts if we allow it. When we do, we're covering that Light of Jesus Christ.
How well are you allowing the light of Jesus Christ to shine in your world? How much time do you devote to the Scriptures and in prayer? How much more do you know of things of this world than you do of your Savior? Who are you listening to? Secular music isn't feeding your soul concerning the truths of God's word. Sports has its place, but any transfer of praise, honor, glory, that belongs to Jesus that goes to that is misplaced. Something else about sports that hit me between the eyes was the conviction that I was not at all taking the God of the Bible seriously when I was talking trash about other teams or people in the so-called spirit of "fun". There's absolutely no way to honor God, to honor Jesus by tearing people down in the so-called spirit of "just for fun".
We do not grow in Christ when we're giving our Spiritual bodies the leftovers of our thoughts and intentions. We do not shine any light when we embrace any portions of the darkness that Jesus came to expose.
So my Dear Reader, are you lifting high the light of Jesus Christ for the world to see or are you hiding it? Are your wants, your desires, more on your mind and heart than that of whatever the Spirit wants to talk to you about? Are you excusing your wrong behaviors and dismissing them because you want to fit into this world? This world isn't our home. We're just passing through.
Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication. ACTS.
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. BIBLE.
Hungry Angry Lonely Tired. HALT.
It's likely not going to make you popular. Jesus said that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer.
What are you actively doing to live for Jesus?
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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