“ …that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” – Philippians 2:15
God chose you and has separated you from the rest of the world.
He has a special plan for your life and wants to use you mightily to bring other people to Him. (Matthew 28:19)
When you take a stand against anything that contradicts His Word, you’re not only showing your allegiance and obedience to Him.
You’re also shining a light of truth for all to see.
When you love those who hate you and pray for those who persecute you.
When you chose to abstain from sexual immorality and take a stand for righteousness sake.
When you refuse to be under the influence and power of drugs and alcohol.
When you swallow your pride and walk in humility.
And when you surrender your life to Jesus completely.
People do notice.
Believe it or not, people are always watching you.
Just like light reflects off the sun to shine from the moon, Jesus wants to reflect His light in this world by shining through you.
Nonbelievers want to see what being a Christian is all about and if your declaration of faith is genuine.
When you chose to shine, you’re showing others who Jesus Christ really is and why they should follow Him too.
Did you know that your actions influence unbelievers, and their overall perception of Christ Himself?
Think about it.
If Christians are doing everything the non-Christians are doing, why would they change their ways and follow Christ?
The sad thing is, they wouldn’t.
When Christians give in to the ways of this fallen world and conform to it, lives are destroyed.
Not only their lives, but the lives of those around them too.
Does Your Light Shine or Was it Blown Out?
The standard of our culture should not be our standard.
I’ve heard of “Christians” who use drugs and get drunk with or around their kids.
I’ve heard of “Christians” who have actually watched pornography or rated R movies with their kids.
I’ve heard of “Christians” who’ve allowed their kids to spend the night with their boyfriend or girlfriend.
I’ve heard of “Christians” who support abortion and gay marriage.
I’ve heard of “Christians” who still live like the non-believers in this fallen world.
It’s one thing to willfully live a life of sin and immorality.
But it’s another thing to willfully live a life of sin and immorality and proclaim to be a Christian.
The key to Christianity is living a life that lines up with the Word of God, not the social and cultural norms of the world.
When God is clear about an issue, we need to be clear about it too.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12
Morality isn’t based on feelings or opinions. It’s based on God’s infallible Word – the Bible.
In God’s eyes, homosexuality, pornography, adultery, and sex outside of marriage are not acceptable. (Galatians 5)
Abortion is never justifiable and is actual murder. (Exodus 20:13)
Putting anything or anyone else before God is idolatry. (Deuteronomy 8:19)
And, we are to raise our children in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
How we conduct ourselves in public or in private needs to reflect Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we’re to seek God’s will not our own and follow Him completely.
This is what it means to surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
As Galatians 2:20 exhorts us, “ I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.”
We’re called to be Christ’s examples here on earth so we need to let go of this world along with any sin that keeps us chained down to it.
Does That Mean We Have to Be Perfect?
No! The only perfect person who walked this earth was Jesus Christ.
Until we get to heaven, we will struggle with our sin nature and be tempted to sin.
That’s because we all fall short of God’s laws and standards. (Romans 3:12)
But there’s a difference between occasionally failing short and choosing to live a life of sin and disobedience.
“A person who actively, perpetually, and unrepentantly lives a life of sin is not a Christian at all.” – gotquestions.org
“The difference between a sinning unbeliever and a sinning believer is that one loves his sin while the other hates it. The believer who stumbles in his walk with the Lord regrets it, confesses it, wishes to never do it again and seeks to appropriate God’s power and grace to avoid it. He doesn’t consider how much he can sin and still be considered a Christian. Rather, he considers how he can avoid even the appearance of sin in the future.” – gotquestions.org
The Bible is clear that repentance is always necessary to receive forgiveness. (Acts 3:17-19)
When a Christian sins, they’re to immediately go to God in humility and confess it.
They’re to repent of their sin, making the choice to lean on God’s strength to resist it.
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
Christians are not to willfully do it again and again because sin is a big deal to God.
Sin is such a big deal, that even one sin is enough to keep someone out of heaven!
“The Bible says that if you have broken one point of the law, you are guilty of all of them…That is where Jesus comes in. Because He died on the cross for all your sins.” – Pastor Greg Laurie
As a Christian, you’ve accepted God’s free gift of salvation.
And are called to share that free gift of salvation with others.
Key Takeaway
When you’re a Christian you’re no longer just another face in the crowd.
You’ve been given the amazing opportunity of shining the light of Jesus Christ for all to see.
Non-believers are incapable of obedience to God, but not you as a Christian. (Matthew 19:26)
That’s because you’re no longer a slave to sin, but a born-again child of God!
So if you’re struggling with sin or having a hard time shining the light, be encouraged.
Remember that you’re not hopeless—you don’t need to live a life of defeat and misery.
Philippians 4:13 says you, “…can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives you strength!”
With Jesus Christ there is victory!
He can change your desires and deliver you from any temptation you’re not strong enough to resist.
And, He can give you the supernatural strength you need to wholeheartedly follow Him.
As a Christian, your children, family, friends, co-workers, peers, and complete strangers are all watching you.
Will they be influenced to follow Christ, or will they be influenced to follow the crowd?
The choice is up to you.
Thank you for this precious reminder. We have to remember that God our Father allows the “Wheat” and the “Tares” to grow up together (Matthew 13:24-30). Many times they might look alike, but only God can see the heart and separate the true believer from the impostor. God bless you Amanda
Thank you so much for your comment!! =] Yes! God will expose the darkness for sure. =] He is definitely a just God. That’s why it’s so important to have a clean heart and a pure conscience before Him. God bless you!
I love this! my devotional today was on this topic Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Although unbelievers can’t see God they can see God in us and glorify him.
When I travel on a airplane at night, the city lights light up the dark space and its beautiful, thats how we are to look to the world.
Thank you for this reminder. God bless you love!
Aww thank you SO much Erica for your kind words!! Yes!! We are to shine beautiful as we shine brightly in this dark world. Thank you so much for the example of flying on an airplane at night. It’s amazing how just a little light can really impact darkness. I love doing that as well. =] =] Love ya sis! God bless you!
Thank you for writing this Amanda! i work in a very worldly environment and it gets me down at times. Your article is a great reminder to stand firm in who I am in Christ and shine His light!
Hi Rachelle!
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment. =] Praise God He ministered to you and confirmed in your heart that He wants you to be bold for Him in your workplace!! Remember, you may be the only “Bible” some people will ever read. Make sure you’re putting on the full armour of God every single day and i promise you, God will use you to reflect Him in ways you’d never ever imagine. (See Ephesians 6) =] Also remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. He will set up those divine appoints just like He will empower you to shine for Him. Know that you’re not alone. Sometimes we may feel like the only Christian in the room or even in the company!! But with God, you are the majority. =]
2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
God has placed you in your workplace because He wills to do great and mighty things in and through you! Think of it as your special mission field. Think of how you can bless others and be that godly example they again may never see elsewhere. So
be encouraged! You are a warrior princess of the Most High God! Stand firm and keeping shinning His light for all to see!!
God bless you!
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
This is Sey from the Philippines. I’m really blessed with this article. It is what every Christian needs to know. Thank you for reminding us that we really need to take a stand in season and out of season of our lives.
The Lord bless you!
Sey