Who's Light Yours or Jesus's?

Who's Light? Yours or Jesus's?

by David Brenneman 

"In other words, to live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. That’s why Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).  So how do you allow Jesus to live in and through you? You do so first by spending time in Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways." Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles #24 To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

"But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it." Deuteronomy 30:14. 

It's not about you.  It's you living in obedience to God's Word, that the Light of Jesus Christ would shine in and through you.  

People refer to being seen as shining.   Celebrities when in public try to shine for their fans.  Fans, some of which, dissect every frame of a video looking for the perfection they have in their minds about these people. 

Some want fantasy football, fantasy movies, fantasy television shows, fantasy books, to live their lives through.  They want to borrow the shine of others in order to shine themselves. 

If we are truly living out the truth that we have been crucified with Christ then literally the person that is each of us is dead.  We arose to a new life in Christ walking a path that is to glorify Jesus.  The only person who's to be seen as shining in the public that we roam among is Jesus. 

We easily prove who is shining by others impressions of us.  To be truthful isn't even in our nature apart from Jesus Christ.  If indeed we're known for, or have a reputation for, living in Christ then indeed Christ is shining.  If we are looking first for the limelight then it's not Him. 

People sometimes mention something they got from this blog.  I point them to Jesus not me.  I am happy to be used by my Savior to point people to Jesus or maybe show them how to return to Him.  

I do probably spend more time than most in reading my Bibles and books that are devotionals.  But the thing is...until I did...it all seemed to be too much.  In a sense it was overwhelming to consider.  My mind wanted me to give up before I could get started.  I don't miss the wasted hours watching television or movies.  I don't miss the hours spent wasted on science fiction books.  These false ideas of restful peace are just that.  Lies we tell ourselves that will bring peace and contentment. 

We have a life to be lived in Christ that is meant exactly and only for us to live.

The life you live in the flesh for Jesus is unique to you to live in faith.  When all the trillions of people who have ever lived stand before Jesus one day.  All those who believed and all those who didn't all will have been a unique person created by God for good works that they might have walked in them to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus. 

Yet in today's world Dr. Charles Stanley is right.  So many professing Christians are honestly trying to skate by with the minimum in obedience.  Read their Bible once in a while to keep the dust off of it. Pray maybe over the food as long as it's not too embarrassing.  Toss a few bucks to a charity and call that their good deed for the day.  Settling for the mediocre or less than mediocre life in Christ.  Never ever having it cross their minds the absolute certainty and truth that they will be standing mere feet away from Jesus one day to give an account of their lives before Jesus.   He’s not going to be separated from them like a judge from a defendant in the courts we have today.  He will be standing right in front of you.  

His eyes will see right through you before a word falls from your mouth.  Think about that for a moment.  

I have a life to give an account for before Jesus.  So do you my Dear Reader.  So do you. 

Are you seeking the best life only known through an intimate intentionally lived life in Christ?

Are you trying to balance what you want out of your life with what you think might be acceptable to Jesus to keep Him off your back?

Are you, when an actual prayer comes to mind, praying only for yourself and your problems that you find yourself mixed up in?

Are you more concerned about how your image is seen by others in how you dress, how clean your house is, how your car looks or how you look in it than obeying God and remaining at the feet of Jesus to learn how to be more like Christ?

Everything we value in this world is going to be left in this world when we die.  Everything we value in Christ will be waiting for us in Heaven. 

At the top of His cross Pilate wrote in three languages Jesus, King of the Jews.  The Jews objected but he said that what he has written he has written.  It won't be changed. 

Would your name be below His on that sign?  

"I have been crucified with Christ".

Paul said to learn to live life with putting off the old self with its passions and desires and putting on Christ.  Are you?

Are you spending time, energy and money day after day only on you and improving others view of you?

Are you trying to shine or is Jesus Christ shining through you?

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.