How Does Your Light Shine?

Jesus Christ's light should be seen in those who call themselves Christians.

Image Courtesy of  9comeback / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today, as our pastor taught from Philippians, this passage shone out like like a beacon to me.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children  of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by holding on to the word of life... (Philippians  2:14-15a, NET).  It made me question things I see happening on the internet.  One of the big things that concerns me is what I see taking place on social media.  People who say they are Christians, are publicly mocking candidates running for political office.  It is getting nasty with the name-calling, which is crude and rude.  In fact, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction in most of the stories, because they are bent according to the opinions of the writers.  It is the same with the news media on television.

However, the crux of this information flow, coming from many of those who call themselves Christian and whom I believe to be true believers, is I am seeing ugliness not light on all sides of the political spectrum.  If  those who claim to be believers in Jesus act just like the unsaved, it makes me wonder what kind of lights we are in this dark world.  Can we not state our reasons for who we think is the best candidate without posting pictures and memes meant to denigrate another human being?

I wonder how many of us are praying for candidates in the different political parties, whether we agree with their principles or not.  Do you remember that Jesus told us to pray for our enemies?  I know that some of you actually consider the other candidate an enemy, because you are sure that person is going to be the end of the country.  And, he or she may be--I do not say that lightly, nor do I want that.  What I do know is we already know from God's word there is an end to everything that is coming, but we do not know exactly the time or day.  According to the Bible, only God the Father knows when the end is coming.  We may see signs, but will not know until it happens.  However, until then, it our job as believers to be Light.

So, where does this leave me in the application of what being a light means?  It means live like the salt of this earth.  Be in this world, but do not be of this world.  It means to let Jesus' light shine in me, as I interact in my daily life.  Even though, I am flawed, I should be becoming more like Jesus in everything, so His light is a beacon to those who are lost.

Let your light shine!