Shine As Lights With the Word of Life

(Updated 6-15-2024) According to what scripture teaches us, we as Christians are supposed to look different from unbelievers. Our demeanor, outlook on life, priorities, reaction to challenges, vocabulary and overall standards should set us apart from the unbelievers caught up in the world system. Paul points this out to us in Philippians 2 where he states:

¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ 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;

¹⁶ Holding 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.

Having a laser-focus on humbly allowing God to work his will in us and through us should persuade us to put aside murmuring and disputing against him, his word, and anyone obedient to him. Christians devoted to God’s will won’t be a disagreeable lot like the Israelites who constantly complained in the wilderness against God and Moses as the Lord blessed them. They aren’t the type to churn up ungodly disputes in the church like the false brethren in Acts who insisted physical circumcision and works of the law bring salvation. You won’t see faithful saints raising “doubtful disputations” denying Jesus Christ is simultaneously fully God and fully man or claiming there is no resurrection like some did at Corinth or falsely claiming the day of Christ is already here (2 Thessalonians 2). Such attitudes are dismissive of God’s goodness and wisdom and selfishly disturb the peace of the church.

Additionally, ungodly murmurings and disputings arise from ignorance (1 Timothy 6:4), stir up confusion and evil works (James 3:16-17), and overlook the fact God is with us as we seek his peace (2 Corinthians 13:11). When we resist murmurings and disputings, it leads to us being blameless and harmless toward the things and people of God (v. 15 above). It becomes obvious to all that we are God’s children promoting high Christian living with consistency and spiritual purity to the point where no one can justifiably rebuke us.

Despite the fact we are surrounded by a crooked and perverse nation (v. 15) full of spiritual darkness who think it strange that we don’t ascribe to their wicked ways (1 Peter 4:4), our devotion to Jehovah makes us shine bright as his lights who hold forth his word of life. His word of life is like a fire and a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29) when it’s sent forth in judgment. His word goes forth and never returns void, but accomplishes whatever God pleases (Isaiah 55:11). Our light, which originates from the triune Godhead who is the supreme source of light, cannot be snuffed out. In fact, it “shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Psalm 4:18) when the day star, our Lord Jesus Christ, will arise to full spiritual capacity in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19) at our resurrection. In that day, Paul and all of us saints will rejoice when we see that our labors weren’t in vain (v. 16 above).

(Featured image created using Microsoft Image Creator.)