How to shine

Philippians 2:12-18

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputing: 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; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me”.

To shine, our personal faith must have a public presence. You must hold out the word of life. By guiding people into Righteousness

Daniel 12:3. Those who are wise [Or who impart wisdom] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

 2. We shine by allowing God to do his full work in us and through us.

 3. By working out our salvation with fear and trembling. God works in us before working through us.

Philippians 2:12 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,

4. We shine by reflecting the light of God in a dark world by illuminating others. Matthew 5:15-16. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

5. We shine by doing good works without complaining.

Philippians 2:14-16. 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 as you hold out [Or hold on to] the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

6. By doing what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

Ephesians 5:8-15. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the

Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise,

7. We shine through our deeds and our creeds.  Deeds are our good works, while creeds are your belief, message and your witness about Jesus Christ. Those around you must not just hear your good message. They must see your good works. If your deeds are important, your creed is equally important. That is why those who are born to shine must avoid sinful deeds and evil creed that don’t give glory to God.

8. We shine by remaining connected to the source of light. If light is cut off from the source, no matter the voltage it carries, it cannot shine.

9. We shine eternally by surrendering all our victories and success at the feet of the master, it all belongs to God.

                                          

                                           Written by Dada Samson