Whether you have known Christ for a long time or not, you have probably heard the song "This Little Light of Mine". Often, this song has sounded so juvenile to me that I fail to miss the real, deep, and Biblical foundation of my faith in Christ that is really is.
Verses 14-15 in Philippians 2, says this:
"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them."
We are living in a world of darkness. I'm sure I don't have to convince you of that; just turn on the news tonight! But it's easy to think that the people on the news might be living in darkness -- but what about your funny co-worker down the hall or your neighbor next door who always waves and says hi? If they don't know Jesus, they too, are living in darkness and they may not even know it.
That's where you come in. We are to live in such a way that people can see a difference. A big difference. We are to be the complete opposite of this dark world. We are to live without complaining (eeek, that's really hard when it seems like everyone is complaining...or should I saw "venting"). And we are to do things without arguing. Arguing stems from feeling like our "rights" were violated. So, let me ask you, what if Jesus had argued about His rights? And certainly, if anyone in all of existence ever had any rights about which to argue, it was Jesus. Yet, Jesus went to the cross without complaining or arguing. Imagine what the world would see if we could also relinquish our "rights" in humility and service to our Savior.
How do we do this? Sometimes, complaining and arguing just comes out! Guess what. Verse 13 has your answer..."For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
By nature, we will complain and argue. We are sinful and self-seeking without Christ. But when Christ lives in us, God begins to do work in us that the world can't help but notice! Notice that our desire to live as Christ even comes from Christ himself! "You do not have because you do not ask," James 4:2 tells us. Ask him for the awareness and the opportunities, and then He will give you the power to be different.
Let your lives shine brightly before them, and then may you point them to Christ Himself.
Ahhh.... You are such an encouragement. I love what you said, "...our desire to live as Christ even comes from Christ himself." He is so good to us... even to help us desire to be like Him. Because oh wow... in and of myself - I just want to please... well, myself! His Spirit is so helpful in convicting and leading.
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