stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:15)

Once while our family was camping at the lake, we heard about a significant and lengthy meteor shower happening that night. The news reporter said the meteor shower would be best viewed in a rural setting that night. We lay on the swim beach that clear starry night, attempting to count the uncountable. We witnessed hundreds of “falling stars.” The sky was so vivid that we could see the Milky Way galaxy! What a beautiful display of God’s handiwork!

Instead of arguing and complaining, Philippians 2:15 tells Christians how Paul encouraged the Philippians to shine like stars and display a blameless and innocent witness to the crooked and twisted generation.  His phrase “shine like stars” prompted the followers of Jesus to reflect the glory of the Lord by shining forth in all they did. This would clearly show how they were different because of Christ. The world is a dark place in need of the light of Christ.  Christians are to reveal the light that is Jesus to a hopeless world. 

Moses accused the Israelites of being a crooked and perverse generation (Deuteronomy 32:5). While the Israelites should have been the light of God to the nations, their sin stopped them. Similarly, Paul warned the Philippian church how their disunity and quarreling would dull their witness as the light of Christ to a dark world. The Philippians needed to end arguing and complaining and continue shining and proclaiming. 

Daniel 12:3 says, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” The way Christians live their lives either attracts to or detracts from Jesus. Like the stars on that clear night at the lake, those far from Christ see how Christians live. Our witness for Christ, what people see us do as Christ’s followers, affects their desire also to become a follower of Christ. While Jesus is the light of the world that can outshine the darkness, He desires to reflect from our lives (John 8:12). Whatever clouds our witness for Christ must be eliminated so we accurately portray the brilliance of His majesty. 

Questions for the Head (Think)

• How brilliant do you shine for Christ?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• As you take time to worship, allow the Spirit to show you what haze of sin has tarnished the shine of your life in Christ.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Find and read several Scriptures about God as light and the believer’s responsibility to shine as light for Him.