Shine Like Stars

In John 8:12 & John 9:5 Jesus says that He is the Light of the World.

In Matthew 5:14 Jesus says that we as His followers are the light of the world. Being the light of the world is one of the few things that Jesus is that He tells us we are to also be.

How can we be the light of the world as Jesus is?

We need to see Jesus as the sun and we as His followers are the moon. We reflect the light of Jesus that is in us by the filling of the Holy Spirit. The light is Him in us, not a light we produce independently.

In Philippians 2:12-18 Paul shares how we shine the light of Jesus with our lives.

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

We are to obey God.

We are to work out our salvation.

We are to look to God for the desire to God’s will.

We are to look to God for the ability to do God’s will.

Salvation is a work of God and we do not work for our salvation. Once we have experienced God’s forgiveness and experienced salvation, we are to work out how that will manifest itself in our daily living. One thing that enables us to do that is the truth that we have God giving us the desire and power to do what God wants.

Philippians 2:14-16a

Do everything without complaining or arguing, 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.

Paul begins to share how we can be the light of the world, or shine like stars in the universe.

We don’t complain or argue. We are not to murmur or talk behind others’ backs. We are not to try and create doubts in others.

We are to be blameless.

We are to be pure.

We are to live like children of God.

We are to be without fault.

We are to be free of spiritual fault or defect.

We are to be free from evil.

We are to reflect the truth of our Father.

We are to be above reproach.

We are to do all of this in an environment that is hostile and distorts the truth of God.

We are also to share God’s Word, the Word of Life, with others.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is living a life that shines like stars as we reflect the light of Jesus.

Philippians 2:16b-18

In order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So, you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul then shares how the believers in Philippi shining like stars in the universe affected him. This is an example of how our living to reflect the light of Jesus will affect others

Paul was encouraged when he saw the lives of the Philippian believers.

Paul was challenged when he saw the lives of the Philippian believers.

Paul was gladdened when he saw the lives of the Philippian believers.

Paul was encouraged because he knew that what he had worked to accomplish among the people in Philippi was not useless but was producing disciples of Jesus.

Paul was challenged because it motivated him to serve Jesus and sacrifice for the Gospel.

Paul was gladdened because the cause of Jesus was being spread across the world by followers like the Philippian believers.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is encouraging, challenging and bringing joy to other believers.

The world is dark and the only way to overcome darkness is by shining light into it. Jesus is the Light of the world and we are to be showcases for His light. When we reflect Jesus’ light into the dark world we illuminate the love and truth of Jesus. 

As Shining Stars Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                              Joe