Focus: Why Are You Here?

Text: Phil.2:15

"In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

Paul is telling us that as believers we are living in the midst of a crooked and perverse society. It's indeed a hostile world that we live in - a dark, evil and sinful world. Jesus Christ prayed to His Father, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (Jh.17:15). 

There's so much evil in the world. Peter tells us that God has "called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1Pet.2:9). We live in a world of darkness out of which God has rescued us. Jesus Christ said to His disciples that He was sending them as sheep among wolves. Our world is occupied by ravenous wolves in human bodies. Paul calls them dogs. He says, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" (Phil.3:2).

The amazing thing is that God has deemed fit to put us in this world of darkness to shine as lights. Our Lord Jesus Christ describes us as the light of the world and demands we "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mt.5:16). 

That is our sacred responsibility and glorious mission on earth - to shine as light.

Why should we shine as light? Paul responds, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2Cor.4:6). God, the creator of light, and who Himself is light, has shone in our hearts. He has flooded our whole system with the light of His presence. He brings light with Him into our lives. His light shines wherever He is. Peter appeals to us to "take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2Pet.1:19). Paul tells us, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness" (1Thes.5:5). He says again, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Eph.5:8). As children of light He calls upon us to walk in the light.

Our job in this world is letting our light shine and bringing as many people as possible into the marvelous light of Christ. Paul says, "And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness" (Rom.2:19). We are light to those who live in the darkness. Paul says, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light" (Rom.13:12). 

There's no time to waste. If we are ever going to shine, let us do so now! Let us wear the armor of light and refuse to get involved in works of darkness! We must remain focused on the goal of soul-winning.

What God said to Paul He says to us, too. God says, "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth" (Act.13:47). Our divine task is "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God…" (Act.26:18). 

Let's shine! Let's glow with glory and radiate the light of Jesus' joy! Let's conquer darkness with our armor of light! Be assured that darkness can never defeat light. Let's draw others to the light of good works! That's why we are here on earth - to shine as lights in the world. We can redeem our world through our light.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter