Running Our Race - Who Am I? And Why Am I Here?Sample

How do we do that? How, where, and when does our light shine? How might we show the difference that having Christ in our lives makes? When we act or react in ways that are consistent with what Jesus did or taught, our light shines.

Our light shines when we act or react to life in ways that contrast with the ways of the world.

Jesus said that He is “The light of the world.” (John 8:12) His life contrasted sharply with the lives of the Pharisees and the other religious leaders. The things He said and the things He did were in stark contrast to the acts of the others. His “light” shone brightly. The people could easily see a difference between Him and the others. They could see it in His acts, and they could hear it in His words. When we act or react in ways that are consistent with Him, His teachings, and His ways, and in contrast to the world and its ways, His light shines through us as us. Men see it. It is noticed.

*When we turn the other cheek when we are attacked, our light shines.

*When we respond in kindness to our enemies (difficult folks), our light shines.

*When we give others another chance when the world won’t, our light shines.

*When we tell others that the most important thing in our lives is Jesus Christ and not success, and then live so they can see that it’s true, our light shines.

*When we go the second mile when others don’t, our light shines.

*When we risk looking like a fool for Christ where others dare not, our light shines.

*When we wish genuine good to all men, with the greatest good being their salvation, our light shines.

*When we would rather see men saved than make a profit from them, our light shines.

*When we keep our word, even though it costs us dearly to do so, our light shines.

*When we honor all men, even those of much lower place than God has called us to, our light shines.

*When we don’t demand the privilege that our position affords us in the eyes of the world, our light shines.

*When we take no advantage for ourselves, even when we can, our light shines.

*Our light shines when we use our money to build people rather than people to build money.

*When we do just what Jesus would do in the same circumstances, our light shines, and He lives.

*Jesus is still the Light. He lives as we let him shine in our good works.

It’s been said we all worship; the only question is who or what we worship. How can we be more intentional as the “light of the world” in the power of and call of Christ?