ESOCS Devotional 6 February 2025 – Shine As Light in the World
MEMORY VERSE: “PHILIPPIAN 2:1-16
TEXT: PHILIPPIAN 2:1-16
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
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In contrast to the rest of the world that works while complaining and disputing, Christians work with a spirit of appreciation and joy. The Christian should never allow the demeanour of a morally twisted and perverse environment in which they operate and/or live to affect either his attitude or behaviour. He must never allow his light to grow dim from the influences of darkness or allow the preserving salt of his behaviour to be destroyed by worldliness. When one becomes an active member of the body of Christ, his light shines forth to those who are in darkness. The demeanour of his life and attitude becomes evangelistic to those who are seeking a way through this life.
From our text, we cannot shine as light in the world if we engage in murmuring and disputing, gossiping, backbiting, constant non-constructive argument, complaint, etc. If all that people know about our church is as listed above, they get a false impression of Christ’s Gospel. The church will lack unifying power of Christ.
Let the world see the Jesus in you; keep telling the story, even through your lifestyle and be faithful and true, for you are the light of the world.
CHALLENGES
- Many Believers do not know they are lights in this dark world of sin.
PRAYER POINT
- Dear Lord, make me a light to shine and illuminate my environment at all times.
FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:14-16; John 5:35; Ephesians 5:8
ESOCS Devotional 6 February 2025
