Shining Lights. Philippians 2:15. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world:” Believers in Christ cannot claim to be sinless and perfect, but we are expected to be patient, peaceful, and morally pure so that we can shine like stars in a dark night. In the past, ships at sea were guided to a safe harbor by the light of the stars in the dark sky. When we have the mind of Christ, we will live exemplary lives, becoming members of God's family.
Devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ must not be mixed with attraction to the pleasures of sin. A distorted sense of values and misconceptions about sin and its consequences in the world can influence a Christian to become tolerant of sin in others and then to engage in the same things themselves when they compromise truth. Some find it more convenient to be accepted by the people of this world system than to be separated unto Christ. Complaints against moral and spiritual restrictions lead to disputing the clear teaching of God’s word. That can diminish and possibly even extinguish the testimony that a believer has maintained for years.
It looks like a lamp; all the parts are there, but clearly, something is missing. A lamp is useless in darkness where light is needed if it is not turned on and illuminating. Light must shine for darkness to be dispelled. The world I live in is a very dark place, morally and spiritually. People have no light to guide them on the paths of righteousness except for reflected light that reveals God’s grace through the lives of believers who live and work among them.
It is important that we remain harmless and blameless so that people can still easily see the God-given standard of righteousness here, even if it is not a big flame. Light doesn’t depend on our grandeur, position, financial status, or religious beliefs. Those who look and act like our heavenly Father teaches us are the true witnesses that our God still cares about. He knows what is happening on earth and that we live in a dark society. He would rather that “All men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” He always desires that people have the eternal life that the Godhead shares and wants to share with them.
We have been entrusted with the charge to live as lights, like lighthouses shining on a stormy sea, guiding those who don’t know the way to God. Seeking people will find direction from a trustworthy life that reflects what they truly want to become. One light alone may not make much difference, but when many lights are gathered in one place, their combined shine creates a spiritual glow with blessings that last forever. We "hold forth" something that can be seen. The life and light of truth are the words of life that go forth and will bring joy at the return of the Lord.