by David Brenneman
"The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them." Isaiah 9:2
While this great light is a prophecy about Jesus, we're called to be lights in this world. Emmanuel means God with us. When people come to Christ for salvation, He comes to live in us.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.
So many people in this world try to keep their mannerisms of life that they had back before they were saved in Christ.
We're not to be doing that. Paul taught on that very subject.
"that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Ephesians 4:22-24.
"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." Colossians 3:9-11.
We are to shine in this present darkness. We ought to be striving for to win the prize as the Apostle Paul wrote as well. Running with the aim of winning.
"knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7.
Do you not want your Father in Heaven to be glorified?
Do you not want to stand before Jesus rather than to shrink away from Him when you are before Him some day?
These desires that people attach themselves to are often traps. Minefields at best. Satan's schemes aren't hidden! His schemes are certainly not camouflaged in the least!
We are often embracing whatever he tries to do in our lives and then we have the audacity to cry out to Jesus because we say that we don't know where everything went wrong!
Was listening to Steven Curtis Chapman yesterday. "Be Still and Know". Along with "Great Expectations".
How often do you try to sit at the feet of Jesus?
How often do you actually stop n wonder if what's put before you is a temptation or something good from God? We are approaching a season of giving. Thanksgiving is upon us and soon afterwards is Christmas. Satan's schemes are often wrapped up to look like something from God.
Would you recognize the difference?
In combat training people learn the art of camouflage and its required to successfully complete that part of training in order to advance.
In Christ we aren't to do this in order to advance in growing in Christ Jesus.
We are to be lights in this world...not hidden under a basket...away from the world.
So what if people look down on you for truly living the Christian life as the Spirit directs each of you.
Is anyone you run across more important than serving your risen Lord and Savior with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit? And meeting His approval concerning the life you lived?
I sort of jokingly posted a picture of football fans in a snowy stadium and said that if Christians today had that kind of drive and commitment, Satan would be running scared at the onslaught of the Church.
Jesus doesn't have kind words to say towards those who are ashamed of His association with them.
Live your life in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Period.
Let your light shine! Think back to that children's song of this little light of mine.
Remove those things that are causing your light to be hidden from the world.
What are you doing hiding anyway?
My aim is to hear "Well done!" from Jesus...what about you?
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment