While waiting to see someone I’d known and worked with many years ago, I was observing how things operated at this High School I was visiting. I worked at a high school for about eight years, the memories of that experience returned. In my years of dealing with high school students I got to know a lot of their behavior around their peers. Peer pressure can cause teenagers to do things that they wouldn’t ordinarily do. That’s true in adults as well. The behavior of those I worked with during those years changed when around certain people. Have you ever noticed how people will act one way and when the boss enters the room they change completely? That seems to be the case with some Christians when around certain influences. Of course this shouldn’t be being that we should be the example. Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The bible says, “Let your light or Phos in the Greek meaning luminous, make shine. Or show Christ through you. This is a challenge especially in today’s society. How do you view yourself as a follower of Christ in the world? Are you luminous or just a good church goer?
Do we see ourselves as a force that illuminates all that is around us? Notice that the light is based upon a life that is lived for those around us to see. According to Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org.
In John 1:4 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” His life was light when he walked the earth, therefore if we being Christlike must be light to those that are around us. In this life we will face times of difficulties where we feel like throwing in the towel but he is what we must hold onto the word of God for continued strength.
Being around some pastors at times I find there is a sense of one wanting to one up the other. The question that is always asked is’ “How many people do you have?” As if the larger you are as a church the more successful you are. When this is not the reason that Christ has called any of us to pastor. We are to care for and train disciples for Christ not for ourselves. This the reason why Apostle Paul stayed out of the boasting business. 1 Corinthians 1:12-14, 17 ”Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” In other words we should boast in Christ not in who we are or what we perceived we have done. Our light (life) must shine Christ.
Paul understood this so he directed all to Christ as the Savior. Today let your life so shine of Christ so those around you will see.
Samuel King, Senior Pastor
Christlike Life Church, Laveen, AZ.
