This
morning as I was sending an encouraging word
to a friend, "Let your life shine forth
for Jesus," I thought of many ways we
can do just that. Our life should always
reflect the Christian ways we live.
Having the fruit of the Spirit will indeed
do just that. Galatians 5:22-23 "But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control." Having
the Spirit will certainly be a light that
shines.
I looked up the
word "shine" in the dictionary and
was amazed to see how the word is used. To
give light is one way to cause us to shine.
John 1:5 " The light shines in the
darkness, but the darkness has not
understood it." Are you a light that
shines in the darkness or are you content to
be in the dark? John the Baptist was a lamp
that burned and gave light, and he chose for
a time to enjoy his light. Philippians 2:15
"so that you may become blameless and
pure, children of God without fault in a
crooked and depraved generation, in which
you shine like stars in the universe."
I know that I want to shine like a star in
the universe. How about you?
I like to think of
2 Peter 1:19 "And we have the word of
the prophets made more certain, and you will
do well to pay attention to it, as to a
light shining in a dark place, until the day
dawns and the morning star rises in your
hearts." We need to act out our faith.
Our lives and even our testimony will reveal
who we are in Christ.
To shine upon is so
translated in Luke 1:79 "to shine on
those living in darkness and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the path of
peace." Imagine our feet being guided
in the path of peace. How about "to
shine as a torch," which occurs in
Matthew 5:15,16; "Neither do people
light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it
gives light to everyone in the house. In the
same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven."
Jesus shines for
us, as well. Luke 17:24; "For the Son
of Man in his day will be like the
lightning, which flashes and lights up the
sky from one end to the other." When I
close my eyes I can see this taking place.
To shine or glisten is also used in Mark 9:3
of the garments of Christ at His
transfiguration: "His clothes became
dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the
world could bleach them."
Then in Matthew
13:43, to shine forth is used, of the future
shining "forth" of the righteous
"Then the righteous will shine like the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who
has ears, let him hear." Again "to
shine forth," is used figuratively of
Christ upon the slumbering believer who
awakes and arises from among the dead in
Ephesians 5:14 " for it is light that
makes everything visible. This is why it is
said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from
the dead, and Christ will shine on
you." What beautiful words. I think you
may get the message here.
I would like to
close with this prayer: O LORD let the light
of Your face shine upon everyone who reads
this. Make Your righteousness shine
like the dawn. Let our light shine
before men, that they may see our good deeds
and praise our Father in heaven. Let us be
beacons for You, LORD Jesus. It’s in Your
powerful name I pray. Amen.
By Carole Kerr 02/13/04
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