After our Sunday service where we encouraged ourselves to shine before men so that they may glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16), one of us went for a high-level prayer meeting at which that same message and scripture were the emphasis. So I guess I should also emphasize that again.

The whole world lies under the sway of Satan (1 John 5:19). That means it shouldn’t really surprise us when darkness/evil abounds. Fortunately for us, when we got born again, we weren’t raptured out of this dark world. God intentionally left us in this dark world for a purpose.

One of the reasons why we were ‘left behind’ after we got saved was so that we can shine for God in the dark world. Paul, by the Spirit of God, tells us that we shine as lights in this world that is crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:13). Since we are of the kingdom of light, we are supposed to stand out in the darkness in which we happen to be, to the glory of God. This is a choice we are to make every day, and almost all the time.

The way we shine is exactly as Jesus told us: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When our conduct is different from that of unbelievers, then we are shining as lights in darkness. When we live our lives in accordance with the commandments of God, then indeed we are lights that cause people to glorify God, and some to actually come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We have a big responsibility – to shine for God’s glory. Let us therefore not let down God by turning off our lights when we conduct ourselves like Satan’s children. Let us live as is expected of God’s children. The Holy Spirit is here to help us do exactly that.

God bless you.