Let Your Light Shine Bright

6-30-2010
Let Your Light Shine Bright

As a kid I recall singing the song, “Let your light shine bright through the night through the day…ye ha!” As we meditate on Ephesians 4:17-32, the song makes a lot more sense!

17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I don’t know about you, but I have failed more times than I wish at obeying everything we just read in Ephesians. Bottom line: let’s do everything in our power to let our light shine bright. In good and bad times, are we glorifying our Heavenly Father? Its one thing to shine at church…how are you doing in the exact opposite environments and situations? It’s said, “Adversity reveals character.” Difficult environments and situations reveal our walk with the Lord. Do we give in to slander and negativity, or do we shine the light of Jesus in the worst of situations? In all things, let your light shine bright!