light – BradRiley.Org

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

^{Philippians 2:14-15}

This might be a bit controversial but hang with me. I think the most needed thing in our world today isn’t necessarily more people who know about Jesus…but more people who ‘show’ Jesus. Are you still with me? Let me explain.

Knowing Jesus is everything, but if it’s really everything to us we’ll show it in the way we live. St. Paul had already told the Philippians to “work out” their salvation, “with fear and trembling”. Then, he told them how to live as believers that make a difference in perverse world. We’re called to live holy lives that make a difference.

Christians, like it or not, are called to be different from the world. Complaining and arguing aren’t winsome in anyone, especially in people who are to be “blameless and harmless”. Sadly, churches are full of members who complain, grumble, and pretty much live like everyone else. It’s as if their faith makes no difference in their lives.

Right now you’re probably saying, “Yes Brad, but aren’t churches supposed to be hospitals for sinners? After all, we’re only human.” You’re right. But, there comes a time when we who follow Jesus must get serious about being intentional disciples who allow the power of the resurrection to transform us into lights that shine brightly in the darkness.

I told you this might be controversial. Right now you might be thinking that you’re not good enough, to be the kind of believer Paul describes. Don’t lose heart. Notice that he calls us to be “blameless”, not perfect. Blameless isn’t an excuse to not be transformed. Surrendering to Jesus’ transforming power shows how much we value His forgiveness. Here’s a link to a song by Dara McLean to help you think about what it means to be blameless, and forgiven: http://www.bing.com/search?q=Blameless+Dara+Maclean+Video&FORM=R5FD1

We can’t be as perfect as Jesus, but we can have hearts that perfectly love Him and are transformed by his resurrection power. And, the extent to which we live out of perfect hearts, our motives will be blameless. You see, the difference isn’t in what we know of Jesus, but in what we show of Jesus. Are you living in the power of His resurrection? It’s what makes all the difference.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Lord Jesus, if there is anything in me that is not surrendered to you, let me give it to you now. Tune my heart to perfectly love you, that I may live as your light to a dark and lost world. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://www.daramaclean.com/updates/behind-song-blameless-62686

More thoughts on this week’s Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19

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(Image Credit: http://www.trulytruly.net)

Darkness seems to prevail. It seems each week we hear of a new tragedy of terror as innocent people are killed somewhere in the world. On Monday, those who died in the San Bernardino killings had no idea they were starting their last few days in this life. Of course no one knows when their end will come, but death by terrorism is a far more tragic end to innocent life. I began the week asking God to shed more light on my path, and yet darkness seems to intensify. But, there is something we must not forget; the greater the darkness, the brighter the light will shine.

St. Paul tells us we must walk through this world wisely, to not be foolish for the days are evil. That was true in the first century, and it is still true today. And, it will be true until Jesus returns at end of time. A part of being wise is to realize that we are at war in this world with terrorism.

The war of terror on the world is not really new. There have always been terrorists in this sinful world. However, in a digital age where things happen and are reported in seconds, and where we can see pictures that transport us to the scene causing us to feel even greater emotions than we feel from just reading headlines, it feels as if something new is happening, something far worse than ever before.

We see terror with new eyes today. But, let us be reminded that we can see light with new eyes as well. 500 years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah said, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.“ (Isa. 9:2 NLT). Jesus Christ, who is the promise of God’s “great light”, is for every age no matter how deep the darkness. We saw that “great light”, in the Christ like response of the people of the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. last June.

So, in the words of the title of Francis Schaeffer’s classic book, “How Then Shall We Now Live?”, what should be our response to the deep darkness that seems to be falling upon our land? To embrace the light and truth of Jesus Christ, who said to love our neighbor, pray for those who persecute us, and forgive those who sin against us. In the end, love will always conquer hate, and light will always dispel the darkness. May we never forget that great truth in midst of our anguish and fear.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Tag: light

Show What You Know

The Greater the Darkness, The Brighter the Light

(Image Credit: http://www.trulytruly.net)