Philippians 2. …be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (2:15). This was written by the Apostle Paul some 2000 years ago while imprisoned in Rome – so apparently having to live in the middle of a twisted and crooked generation is nothing new. We feel it in our souls; the world is broken, grieving, heavy, and spiraling in chaos and pain. Every time we catch the news headlines we feel the suffering, and the waves of darkness threaten our personal lives as well.

How do we live in this challenging environment? The Apostle Paul reminds us of our true identity in Christ – we shine as lights in the world. Last week we read Ephesians 5:7, You are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. We are light. We shine as lights.

I was praying recently and the Lord gave me a picture: I was standing in the dark along the edge of the seashore, holding up a lantern. The lantern brought light to a circle some 10-20 feet around me. It did not shine like highway lights off into the far distance (for we are not meant to know what happens that far away) but simply illuminated what was near me. The light itself was Christ and the gospel message, a beacon of hope in the darkness. My job was simply to hold up the lantern in the darkness. Not everyone loved the light. Bugs were drawn to the light, annoying flying insects, but I was not discouraged by them – I just held the lantern high for anyone who wanted more light.

How do we walk as children of the light? Paul gives several instructions in this chapter:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (2:3-4). We are naturally preoccupied with ourselves, selfish by nature. But in Christ, we are called to surrender ourselves and to walk in God’s ways with humility. That means that we entrust our needs and desires to the Lord and no longer need to reach and grasp for our own selfish gain. We recognize that other people are valuable, and so we chose to yield and to give of ourselves so that others are cared for. Humility and kindness toward others are fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, they are marks of one who is light to the world.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (2:12). This phrase is tossed around a lot. In my mind, it implies two things: First, we are all working out our salvation – we are saved (past tense) but we are also being saved (present tense) and so each of us is on a continual journey of learning and applying the truth of the gospel. We never stop learning and growing. Secondly, we do so with fear and trembling because there are still things we do not know or understand – another reason humility is an important character trait of a Jesus follower.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing (2:14). Now there’s a good challenge! I think every time we complain or start an argument, it’s like turning down the brightness of our lantern light a bit.

Be blameless and innocent (2:15). Darn, another good challenge! Again, I think that persisting in sin will dim the light of our lanterns, to the point that the light goes out. Confess your sins, repent and turn away, so that the light of the gospel may shine through you.

Be glad and rejoice (2:18). Like Paul, choose joy despite circumstances. Hold your lantern high, let the light of Christ shine brightly for those in the darkness who need to know the way. People are drawn to laughter and light.

How is your lantern light? Do you need to confess sin? Do you need to let go of complaining, and get a different perspective? In humility, do you care for the needs of others? How is your joy?