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“Let Your Light Shine”

(Revised, by bruce)

Proverbs 4:18-19… But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. (NKJV)

The opening scripture was penned by the wise Solomon, the son of David. David (who slew the 9 ft 9 in giant Goliath – 1 Samuel 17), wrote half of the Book of Psalms. Solomon wrote half of the Book of Proverbs…and we can learn much from both Solomon, and his father David’s writing. Here is a link for this entire short (but important) chapter 4 of Proverbs … http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov4%3A1-35&version=NKJV;KJV

I envision this opening scripture, as Solomon using the light of the sun…from the earliest light of dawn, until the maximum brightness of a noon day sun…to represent the life of the new believer who is living for the Lord…as they are being conformed more and more into the image of Christ…Romans 8:29…

When we are first saved by God’s grace, and become believers, [see (1)] Christ comes to dwell with-in us…Colossians 1:27-28… Jesus called Himself the light of the world, in…John 8:12…and tells us that those who follow Him (2), will go from walking in darkness, to having the light of life.

As Christians grow in spiritual wisdom and maturity, (3) the light of Christ living with-in them should become brighter and brighter. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) with-in the Spirit filled Christian (Ephesians 5:18-20) will grow and mature over a lifelong process known as “progressive sanctification”. (4)

There are many things that will contribute to the new believers spiritual development. I believe that spending time reading God’s Word, the Bible…along with the establishment of a devoted prayer life (Philippians 4:6-7)…must become an everyday important part of a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us this, in…

John 8:31-32… Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)

Abiding in Jesus’ Word, means the true disciple of Christ understands, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teachings…that can best be learned by habitually spending time reading, digesting (Matthew 4:4), and then putting into practice what Jesus and His Word reveals as the inerrant truth God wants all of His children to understand and obey.

But along with spending time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer…I believe finding the right church, with the right church doctrine that focuses upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, (5) is also an essential part in the spiritual growth of the Christian, who truly wants to live a Christ centered life.

Jesus, in the very beginning of His public ministry, gave His “Sermon on the Mount” teaching (Matthew 5:1 to 7:29)…where He tells us this, in…

Matthew 5:6… Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (NKJV)

If you’re a Christian, do you “hunger and thirst” to learn more about the Lord ?? Are you growing closer to God, in total submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit…which God has given to every believer as a life long live-in Helper ?? (John 14:26)

Jesus’ half brother James gives us this instructional scripture, in…

James 4:7-8… Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)

God will bless those who are walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), in sweet fellowship with Him, as a Spirit filled Christian…Ephesians 5:18-20… But to be practically righteous in God’s eyes on a mostly continuous basis…the Christian must live a life of constant, true repentance (6) with godly sorrow for their sins. These sins must be confessed and turned from, through a prayer similar to what the apostle John penned, in…

1 John 1:9… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

Jesus calls all of His children to be the light and the salt of the earth…Matthew 5:13-16… Jesus instructs us to be visible beacons of light for those around us to see, in…

Matthew 5:16… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV)

If you are a professed child of God…are you living for the Lord in a way that will shine the light of Christ on those around you still living in darkness ?? Do you share your personal testimony and/or the gospel of Christ at every opportunity that God gives you ?? Do you know the love of Christ which passes mortal knowledge ?? (Ephesians 3:16-20) Do you have a fullness of joy, because Christ’s joy fills your heart ?? (John 15:11)

And finally…are you free from anxiety, fear, and stress because you are filled with “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” ?? The apostle Paul pens this, in…

Philippians 4:6-7… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

This supernatural God given love, joy, and peace are the first 3 of the 9 fruit of the Spirit which God gives to ALL of His redeemed children. I’m here to tell you that by submitting your life to Christ (1)…and then keeping Christ first in your life, as you become a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ…it is absolutely possible to experience God’s richest and most abundant blessings, that you have to experience to believe !!

Heavenly Father, I pray that Your living and powerful Word will open the eyes of anyone in need of understanding and applying the truth of Your Word to their lives. I pray for hearts and lives to be changed by You for an eternity, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

Blessings in Christ, bruce

Related articles:

1)  Here is a link for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, after first being drawn in by God…John 6:44… https://godsmanforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/gods-group-thoughts-for-7112013-the-truth-about-sin/

2)  https://godsmanforever.com/2013/11/18/what-is-a-disciple-of-jesus-christ-11182013/

3)  https://godsmanforever.com/2014/03/26/maturing-in-christ-3262014/

4)  http://www.gotquestions.org/progressive-sanctification.html

5)  http://godsmanforever….com/2013/01/08/gods-group-thoughts-for-1082013-church-doctrine-starts-and-ends-with-the-word/