DCLM Higher Everyday 18 June 2024 — Shine As Light
Topic: Shine As Light
Text: Philippians 2:12-16
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Key Verse: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
Message
Writing on the life of believers in Christ, J. C. Ryle asserted, “Saving faith and real converting grace will always produce conformity to the image of Jesus.” The lives of the believers in the early Church showed “… they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).They were first called Christians in Antioch not merely by their profession of Christ but by their Christ-like pattern of life (Acts 11:26). As true sons and daughters of God, they shone as light in the world. The sinful society demands that saints should shine brightly. We should not complain that the world is evil. We know that the darker the environment, the brighter a little ray of light can be. As the light of the world, we must let people see our good works. So how do we shine? By our good character, wholesome words, Christian love and care, preaching, moral uprightness, and avoiding sin.
Arise and shine as light in every area of your life, including your spiritual, academics, social and professional life, such that anyone who comes in contact with you, will be attracted to Christ.
Quote: Arise and Shine as light.
Challenge: Shine by your character and conduct.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, let my life attract men to you, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
