Shine....
Philip. 2:12-18 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
[14] Do everything without complaining or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe [16] as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. [17] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. [18] So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The world we see around us, and the communities we live in are not perfect. Ever since Adam and Eve we have lived in a world which is fallen, a world where people have turned their back on God and seem to be running away from him. Because of that they are destined to spend an eternity without God.
So for those of us who have met Jesus and encountered the life transforming truth of the Gospel it is important for us to stand out. The way of life that Paul has related to us, of living without selfish ambition and ego, of having a servant attitude like Jesus, is crucial in pointing other people towards the truth.
When I was a student a classmate came up to me and told me he heard I was a Christian. Excitedly I wondered what had given it away: my Jesus loves you ruler; my turn or burn t-shirt; my SU badge on the lapel of my jacket. But before I could find out he remarked that he would never have known if a mutual friend had not told him….
Our lives, as individuals and communities must be exemplary, mirroring Jesus in every situation, reflecting his love and glory to those around him. We need to learn to be his hands and feet, to shine like stars, so that around us, in the lives of those who are close to us, we can see God act out his good purposes….
[14] Do everything without complaining or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe [16] as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. [17] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. [18] So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The world we see around us, and the communities we live in are not perfect. Ever since Adam and Eve we have lived in a world which is fallen, a world where people have turned their back on God and seem to be running away from him. Because of that they are destined to spend an eternity without God.
So for those of us who have met Jesus and encountered the life transforming truth of the Gospel it is important for us to stand out. The way of life that Paul has related to us, of living without selfish ambition and ego, of having a servant attitude like Jesus, is crucial in pointing other people towards the truth.
When I was a student a classmate came up to me and told me he heard I was a Christian. Excitedly I wondered what had given it away: my Jesus loves you ruler; my turn or burn t-shirt; my SU badge on the lapel of my jacket. But before I could find out he remarked that he would never have known if a mutual friend had not told him….
Our lives, as individuals and communities must be exemplary, mirroring Jesus in every situation, reflecting his love and glory to those around him. We need to learn to be his hands and feet, to shine like stars, so that around us, in the lives of those who are close to us, we can see God act out his good purposes….
posted by Gordon at
8:40 am
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