Today's Scripture
Shining Like Stars – Philippians 2:12-16
Shining as Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. 16 It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
RJ's Devotion
What the passage says
V. 12-13 We are called to be mindful of our purpose. God will work in our lives when we strive to ‘fulfill the purpose.’ And that is our act of joining in God’s mission.
V. 14-16 Paul shares a guideline, as a lifestyle of living as a light in this world. As we continue to strive for this purpose, we will see how God’s light shines through us.
What does the passage say to me/us?
“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky, as you hold firmly to the word of life” (v. 15b – 16 NIV).
Living in this world, as we shine the light of Jesus can be a vague concept. Is living a good life – doing good things -the indication of being the light of the world?
Well, I would say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ Doing good as much as we can is not only an ethical mandate but also a rule of life for us Methodists.
However, ‘doing good’ should have a prerequisite. It should have the willingness to follow God’s purpose, along with the openness to see God work in our lives.
When we allow God to work in our lives, and use us to do the good works in this world, we will see how God’s light shines through us.
And when we are on this journey, we know that we cannot continue to live in this lifestyle without holding onto God’s word. When we decide to live as a light, we will see how the world tries to blow out our light. It is true, that when we try to shine our lights, it will blow out. However, when we are holding onto our Lord, we will see how our Lord continues the good work, as the light continues to shine.
Prayer
Lord, open our hearts to see you working in our lives. Be with us, as we bear your light into this world.
In Christ name, we pray, AMEN
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