We have been speaking in these last posts about the need to get up and move on. The church of today has been commanded to “Get Up!” or “Arise”….
But we are not commanded just to Get up. We are commanded to glow with the power of Jesus! The time has come to shine our light church!
Glowing is necessary
Jesus said– “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” MAtthew 5:14-16 NLT
I have heard it said, “How we behave today no longer has a bearing on our Christianity because we are not under law but under grace. ”
Some people say “Sinning or not sinning doesn’t matter anymore because behavior doesn’t determine eternal destination.”
That is an entirely self focused view! The mindset behind it says ” the only reason I am a Christian is so that I can go to Heaven and be happy with Jesus all by my onesys.”
I want to confirm good works cannot save you today only Jesus can do that. But I also want to confirm our good works can be the light that points someone else to Jesus and rescues them from Hell. And our evil works can be a darkness that blinds someone else so that they never receive Jesus. I am convinced that some of us will get to Heaven and Jesus will say “Oh my child it is wonderful to have you here but where is your sister, your brother, your mother, your father? You were supposed to bring them with you.”
Good works are necessary because by them you shine in a dark world and light the way for others.Right after Jesus told his followers to shine their lights He said these words.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Ma 5:17-19 NLT
Jesus didn’t say your evil deeds would hold you out of Heaven. He said they would cause you to lose reward in Heaven because they have the power to destroy your witness for the kingdom!
Church the time has come to shine for Jesus more than we ever have before? If the world is growing darker, then we must grow brighter!
Reinventing the We'll 