Choosing to Shine

1st John Chapter 1 

Scripture: 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1st John 1:7) 

Observation: 

I'd like to talk about the word picture that's being used here.  "Light" is a very common illustration when talking about God, His goodness, Jesus, and the Word.  It's all over scripture and I am tempted to just run a long list of where you can find those verses in order to help you make those linkages and see the depth of this metaphor.  But I won't, any good search engine or concordance can do the same thing, so I won't take up your time here.  But please don't let that stop you from mining the riches of scripture and seeing it for yourself.  Nothing substitutes for the Holy Spirit instructing you directly through the word.  Nothing.   

The Greek word that is used for light in this passage is phos.  It's got two uses, one as a physical light - as in a lamp, a star, or anything that sheds light.  The second one is more metaphorical and is associated with the nature of God, because of the attributes of truth, knowledge, purity, transparency, and the power of understanding. 

Application: 

But don't forget that beginning this verse starts out with an "if".  We have the choice of following HIS way or our own.  So, I ask you, does this metaphor carry out into your own life?  Would you agree with this passage that says He is the light and without Him we live in darkness?  It's easy to overlook the boldness in the words when it's prettied up in lyrical phrases - but this is pretty bold statements!   

Here is the challenge I'd like to leave with you today:  How do you answer those who do not agree with this statement that John makes?  We are called to have an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).    

Have you thought about it?  Do you know what you would say if someone asked you why you believe the way you do?   

There are many resources to draw from to help you articulate it into words, sometimes all you need is someone to bounce things off of.  I invite you to reply to this post and share the hope that you have.  Tell us how you answer this bold statement about being light in a dark world and communicating that to the people around you.  if you don't have a ready answer, let us be your sounding board for finding your own voice. 

Prayer: 

Lord give us courage to be transparent in our life, so that you can shine through us.  Help us to confess our sins to you and to each other so that the world is never confused about the differences between a sinner like me and the Holy God who also lives inside me.  The word says that no one hides a light under a basket, but they set it uncovered and high so that it lights up the entire room.  As believers we should be like a city on a hill, shining where everyone can see it.  Lord, help us be prepared to share the gospel and not hide it, especially in these dark times.  Amen. 

What Shapes Your Worldview?

2 Timothy Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV) 

Observation: 

This little bit of scripture, tiny as it is, should be one of the first things all Christians confront upon their conversion to the faith.  How we perceive this statement of Paul's, the veracity, acceptance, and acting upon it - shapes our world view.  Because if we believe this statement, then everything else in our paradigm MUST shift.  Why do I say that?  Because HE is God and until we stumble over this truth, we live out the belief that we are in charge - regardless of what we may say. 

There is a logic I want to connect in there: today's post modern world makes the assumption that truth isn't absolute, rather it's defined by the individual, and that the author's intent is arbitrary; it only matters what we choose to take from it. 

This needs to be clear and it's one of two reasons WHY new Christians should be brought here upon conversion:  The written word of God is truth.   

Truth is not subjective, open to our own spin or understanding of it - rather our understanding will shift and mature over time to conform to IT.  The word of God is true, because He is true.  We are not.  In fact, we will spend the rest of our natural lives picking out the lies we were steeped in and constantly submitting our wrong selves to His righteousness.   

Here's the other reason new Christians should be brought here: After you have confronted the authority of the scriptures you have to square with the authors.  It's fact that he used imperfect people to reveal His truth, and inspired them to write that truth, even as they also had to learn over time to obey it as well. (Rom. 7 is a good example of what I am talking about)  Can you trust that a perfect God can use imperfect people to perform His work even as they must battle their own sinful natures to conform to it too? 

It's one of the many reasons He sent his Son, so that he could testify to the truth (John 18:37).  Written scripture and prophesy confirmed the validity of who Jesus was.  The promises God made to human kind were recorded in scripture. Jesus constantly pointed the teachers of the law back to what was written in those promises so that he could keep his word.  And after he ascended into heaven, he sent the Spirit of Truth to help us know the difference between the truth and the lie, because the Spirit only speaks what he hears (John 16:13) - He is the Word that makes us true. 

Application: 

Are you studying what the word says?  It's our first avenue to understanding the heart of God.  Do you actively obey and use the scripture for it's intended purposes as stated in the scripture above?  Knowing scripture  isn't what gets you into heaven; as the verse states, it equips you for the work.  So the implied final question is... are you doing the work? 

Prayer: 

Daddy, help us be true like you are.  Help us understand the scripture so that we can know you better and be useful in the work.  Amen. 

Teach Believers With Your Life

1 Timothy 4 

Scripture: 

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. 

Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.  (1 Tim. 4:11-6) 

Observation: 

This is a direct address from Paul, to Timothy, giving profound encouragement to his protégée in the ministry.  Timothy was young.  He interacted on Paul's behalf with the other disciples and with the seed churches that Paul had planted.  Apparently, his youth caused some measure of discomfort for him, a possible lack of respect or dismissive  kind of attitude from others is my guess.  He also helped Paul with the everyday commerce of living, and so took on more and more responsibility.    

Application: 

I think the words Paul  spoke to Tim in that century, apply to us here in ours.  We hear so much negative talk from the world, our families, and sometimes even ourselves that it's easy to let the weight of our obstacles tie us down.  Timothy is exhorted by Paul to teach, the message version uses it twice - the NIV says to "set an example" And the description of how to do it, is all wrapped up in how he behaves, the words he uses, his humble/meekness, by how he loves, by his faith and through the honesty of where his words and his actions live in harmony.  

Notice he didn't say: Go to bible college; take theology courses, public speaking classes, pastor internships, or anything like that.  He simply said to set a good example by your life.  The Message version says to "teach believers with your life."   

I like that. 

Prayer: 

Lord, help us be so close to you, that our life teaches others how to be at peace with you.  Amen. 

Where Strength Comes From

2 Corinthians 12 

Scripture: 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9) 

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. (2 Cor. 12:19) 

I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. (2 Cor. 12:21) 

Observation: 

Remember who this letter is addressed to.  This was THE place to worship Aphrodite, with many temples and 10,000 temple prostitutes.  Nearly everyone who lived there either worked at one, had a loved one who did, or was a former participant themselves.  The entire culture of the city was steeped in the sex industry, as this is likely where many of their profits came from.  Add to that, there was a group of religious leaders (Judaizers) who dogged Paul in his missionary journeys  with the intent to convert all the churches he'd established to their own way of thinking.  So Paul sent a series of reprimanding letters to them after he'd continued to the next city to counteract all those things inhibiting them from following The Way.  

The tone of Paul's writing in these letters are an anxious filled sorrow, to restore them, treating them as a father does for his children.  And like a father who encourages them through hardship and stories from his own life, he tells them of his own struggles.   

Then he shares with them a grand secret: that it is through our weaknesses, God is able to show strength.  It's almost as if he can hear them tell him how hard it is to step out of that lifestyle.  How he doesn't understand the temptation they are under or the pressure from their families to conform, to take ownership in the family business, or follow the voices of the people who speak now in his absence.  So Paul reminds them that they don't have to do it on their own, that if they will only repent (change their mind and let their actions follow this new way of thinking as their emotions are then effected) and lean on him, then His grace will be enough for them to get through it.  (I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength! Phil. 4:13) 

Application: 

I'd like to focus a moment on the usage of the words "strength" and "weakness".  This isn't talking about physical strength, but the strength to endure a thing or the strength to withstand a thing (like temptation).  If you were to sit down and write out  a list of your strengths and weaknesses (in body, character, spirit and mind) what would you come up with?  Can you assess those things in your life that you can only do with God's help?  

The bottom line of this chapter is a call to repent.  So that is what I call you to do too.  Is there anything you need to repent of?  Is there anything you know of that keeps you from reaching out to God?   

Prayer: 

Lord, we have it so backwards!  We want so desperately to be strong and handle things on our own, its human nature and hasn't changed since the 2,000 years ago that this was written in.  The culture what we are steeped in here in the United States has it's share of sexual sin, and its got a sex trade too.  Your words back then are still applicable today.  Father, I echo Paul's plea: for us to find our strength in YOU.  That we would have the courage to repent and follow you instead of our own lusts.  Amen.