Pastor Clay NeSmith | Sep. 24, 2023
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
...for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead….”
As Christ followers, we have the ability to shine God’s goodness into the world and make a difference. Ephesians 5:14 is telling us our purpose and calling us to live by it. We were once dead in our sin, but now our spirits are alive in Jesus. The Church shouldn’t be playing possum - acting dead even though we live. We have to learn to rise out of the dark places in our lives and shine.
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
The first thing we have to do to shine is wake up. God will shake us to wake us if that’s what it will take to get us shining. And there’s no point in waking up if you don’t get up and get ready. God is coaching us to live like He expects, like how Paul outlined in Colossians 3. Examine your heart and ask God to show you what should be removed and what should be added so that you are ready to do what God has called you to do.
...for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Jesus wakes us up, gets us up, and gets us ready so that He can shine through us. He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead in John because it was time for Lazarus to shine and make God known. With your life, bring God honor and glory. Show up to what God is calling you to. If we shine, then God is glorified. When God is glorified, the community is changed. It is one thing to know God, and another to have Him in your life. And it’s an incredible thing to have Him spill out of your life.
God, awaken your people from their sleep. Bring us into the world not to be boastful or ashamed but to be lights that point to you.