Philippians 2:15 "You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. "
Paul writes a beautiful letter to the Christians in Philippi and here encourages them to live clean and innocent lives. He tells them they are to stand out in a culture that was full of darkness and sin. They are to shine brightly for Jesus in this dark world. Their lives and actions should stick out and be very different from the world around them.
Some say the Bible is an ancient book and is out of touch with our modern day and has nothing of value for us in 2013. I think Philippians 2:15 says otherwise. Nearly 2,000 years after Paul wrote this letter we certainly still live in a world full of darkness. Turn on the TV for five minutes and you quickly realize how dark this world can be. That's not new. That's not surprising to any of us. The world can be a very dark place. So Paul begs us to not join the darkness but instead let our lives "shine brightly." I am to shine brightly for Jesus and be a contrast to the world around me. People should see in me love, joy, peace, and hope and be attracted to that-much like a moth to a flame. So how am I doing in the shining brightly department? Do I shine or do I blend into the gloominess and darkness around me? Do I attract or repel others? Today I need to put a smile on my face, put a hop in my step and shine! Today I need to shine for Jesus!
Dear Jesus, help me shine for you in this dark world. Amen.
