TIME TO SHINE

Philippians 2:15 (NLT) "Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people."

It is a fact that our national and global culture is turning more anti-Christ by the year. Some see this as a cause for fear and retreat, but it is instead a last days trumpet call for believers to renew their commitment to minister God’s message of grace and salvation with compassion, clarity and confidence. The Gospel of Jesus has prevailed and even expanded for over two thousand years in the midst of persecution, godlessness, and corrupt governments. In fact, the darker the environment, the brighter its message has shone; the more severe the persecution, the greater its transforming impact! So how should Christians respond in times like these? Like Jesus did! In the midst of the corrupt, violent and polytheistic Roman occupation of Israel, Jesus never wavered from the commands and laws of God, but lived a holy life. Even though He never compromised His Heavenly convictions, He lived and led in such a way that people were drawn to Him, though their lifestyles did not line up with Kingdom values. He was known as the “Friend of Sinners”, yet those within His influence didn’t stay in their sin. Their lives were ultimately transformed by the power of His presence. Jesus is our Divine Example for the day we live in: walking in in humility, while continuing to be courageous in conviction; boldly standing for truth, but always speaking the truth with the motivation of love and compassion; shining bright so that those in the dark can find the freedom, healing and dignity of His salvation. Isaiah 60:1-3 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."