Our life living as a light
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Our LIFE
Our LIFE
We have see the transformation the marvelous light makes in the lives of those who walk in darkness. When saved from the pit. When blind made to see we are called to walk in newness of life. As followers of the light we ourselves are now lights. We are called to shine. To stand out. We are a new creation. Standing and living for God in our homes, in our schools, our work places and also in our community.
But what does this life look like lived out as christs ambassadors
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Pray.
V. 16 we see here one our calling but also the life revealed of the Christian, the little lights of Christ that are called to shine,
The subjects of our shining: to do so among men
the rays of our shining: Our good works.
We are called to be in the world but not of the world.
We are commanded to Radical Obedience to Christ above all else, and this will flesh itself out in unnatural good works.
What then is good works and by who’s definition. This is important to define. Because our culture calls good evil and evil good.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Because of the great mercy that God has given us…therefore, may we present our bodies a living sacrifice…As described as the goal and standard (what this looks like) will be holy and acceptable to God…Which is our reasonable service.
Because of the great mercy that God has given us…therefore, may we present our bodies a living sacrifice…As described as the goal and standard (what this looks like) will be holy and acceptable to God…Which is our reasonable service.
This Radical living we are talking about is in all actuality our reasonable service. The reasonable response for what Christ has given us. What we should not need to be told to do but rather ought to do. ITs like christianity 101.
You have been radically redeemed graciously now live holy lives which will manifest itself in a life of sacrificial living (knowing its not about me, its about Him) which will shine for unto the world as an unnatural life of good works (ones that man by his own power cannot walk in) that ultimately will bring glory to God.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21
Its no wonder then why Paul said that we constantly need to wash our mind in the word that we may continually be molded in to christlikeness. Because the life we are called to is far beyond the power we are able to live.
We need the reset button that will set our feet back upon the path.
There is a war waging against our lives that desires not to walk in this light life but rather to walk in a selfish and vain glory lifestyle.
That we would make it all about us.
In an earlier chapter. Paul says that we are no longer to present our members as instruments of unrighteousness but rather now as instruments to righteousness. we are no longer slaves to unrighteousness but being set free we are now slaves to righteousness. Do you not know that you have been bought with a price. Not with corruptible money but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The God of the universe. His blood. Who is man that you are mindful of Him?
What enabled Daniel and his 3 friends to lay their lives at the altar of faithfulness to God. Willing to sacrifice their lives in the heat of the moment. They sought to honor God above all else…but that live didn’t begin at the call to bow to the image but in the moment to bow in the meaningless and small arena.
A time when it would not cost that much.
When it was no big deal…when everyone would understand.
When ripped from their homes no longer surrounded by their parents rule and dominion. Or their youth pastors accountability.
When you see your brethren following suit.
You have the good thought of obedience to the king as his now slave.
God will understand…right?
Winning the small battles. The ones in secret that no one else knows about. Honor the Lord their and see his faithfulness and it will begin the discipline to stand for Him in the public arena.
To daniel defiling his body was life or death. No matter how small. This means that everything he did he wish to honor the Lord.
His thoughts
His eyes
His actions
But if you are not winning in your private walk what makes you think you will in your public walk?
David another young man that had many obstacles to face yet when He got to the battle field he wonder why everyone was so scared?
This is a boy who was a shepherd.
Just left his flock
Was a nobody but he had a set of eyes that was looking to the heavens and had experienced the power and victory of God.
Its not that any of these men are great but that God is. And when your eyes are fixed on Him He enables you to do the impossible, not so you get the glory but that He does.
This is the life we are commanded to live. One that walks in Gods truth and not mans. To live exposed unto the world, walking in Gods truth, that all may see the good works.
So what does this look like in our lives?
This radical life of obedience? We have seen what it looked like in Daniel and davids life and we do good to learn from their example, but in our day what is God calling us to?
Not just giving money to your buddy when he forgets his wallet
Not deeds to be seen by men. What? With the wrong heart.
The context He says blessed are you when you are persecuted.
Countercultural teaching
Obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.
Don’t work as men pleasers (do all things as unto the Lord)
What about my relationships?
boyfriend and girlfriends?
Do not be unequally yoked
when no one is looking and I am with my friends
Will i honor the Lord with my eyes.
Joseph with potiphars wife
This may mean confronting your friends, or no longer hanging with them so that you may not do the things they are doing.
preach the truth that is foolishness to our day.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-
Who are you going to serve? your passing pleasures and the deceitfulness of sin? Or are you going to live to please God not your flesh?
You may say Jesse i just keep failing. If you are in Christ then your salvation is not grounded in your goodness and ability but rather in His grace and mercy. so when i am child and sin i will be chastised and with the discipline comes the advocate with the father that we are able to come to His throne of Grace.
our growth is a process and we need to be sensitve to the spirits