What Does It Mean To Live as a Christian?
How to Be Light in a Dark World as a Christian
Day 4
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Have you ever accidentally left your phone flashlight on? It’s a minor inconvenience with little to no ramifications, other than perhaps a drained cell phone battery, and yet it never fails that someone will notice and say “Your flashlight is on!”
It’s our natural inclination to notice light. What if we told you living out our faith is no different? Look at what it says in Matthew’s Gospel.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Let’s get started.
Summary
The world isn’t how it should be. Do you feel that too? It seems like every social media refresh, every headline, every urgent update reminds us of this poignant reality: darkness is running rampant.
Jesus said this, just moments after one of the most quoted verses in Scripture:
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19
Look around. Things haven’t changed that dramatically. People are still tricked into loving darkness left and right. Maybe at one point in your life, that was your story, too.
So what do we do? How do we respond?
To live as a Christian means to shine light.
Our salvation was never meant for just us— it is meant to be lived out in public so that others may see the love that God has lavished upon us, and in turn is freely available to them. Louie says it this way: “Walk with God in such a way that the light of God shines on me, and through me. And my light shines as I reflect Christ.”
If you are in Christ, you are the light of the world. This is painted beautifully in Philippians:
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 in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:12-16
God’s desire is for us to be in such a close relationship with Him that our lives continually reflect His character. Look at verse 15 again—we will shine like stars in the heavens.
Visible. Bright. Captivating.
By His grace, God has placed salvation within us, and He works in us so that we desire and do what pleases Him. And as we live this out? We shine like stars.
The world may not seek the light until they find themselves stumbling in darkness. But in that moment, they will remember the light they once saw in you.
Will you shine light today?
What's next?
Do you have areas in your life where you are walking in darkness? Areas where you allow your flesh to be fed and you return to consistently? There is good news! Light drives out the dark (see 2 Corinthians 4:6).
Read Matthew 5:14-16 and Philippians 2:12-16, how are lives in Christ supposed to be on display?
When people look at your life, do they see you shining brightly for Christ, or do you blend in so much with the world that they wouldn’t notice any difference?
