We are living through some tough times in our country. People are polarized on many political issues, religion included. This polarization causes tempers to flare and discussions to heat up. Having personal opinions isn’t wrong, but how we treat others with differing opinions is exceedingly important.
Have you noticed how political and spiritual pride does not change people? A lack of love and respect for others doesn’t change hearts either. God’s character is what effects real change in times of spiritual darkness.
Political leaders have proved they do not have the answers to our country’s problems. Some say even churches have lost their influence for good. For me, our humble God, revealed in Christ Jesus, is the only answer for our country. Why? Because He is the Light of the world.
The Philippian church faced darkness in the form of pride and a lack of love among the members. In Philippians, Chapter 2, Paul encourages them to humble themselves as Jesus did, by revealing to them Christ’s life. Paul writes, "With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves … . Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who ... did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. … He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (NASB).
This truth is particularly relevant today in the face of pride and a lack of love for others. When we look to Christ, descending humbly from the throne of God, living a pure life in the flesh and winning our eternal salvation through the humiliation of the cross, our pride melts. This is an excellent reminder to study and reflect on Christ’s life. Being humbled by God’s grace and living a life of humility will cause you and me to listen more than we talk, even when we don’t agree.
Humility will help us love more too, and the world will know we are His disciples if we have love each other. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth)” (Eph. 5:8–9, NASB). There is a powerful witness when we preach the gospel and walk as children of Light.
If we desire others to listen when we speak, God’s people must show a consistency between what we preach and how we live. Jesus commands us to take the gospel to the world, so people will “turn from darkness to light, from the dominion of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18). The darker the world gets, the brighter God’s church should shine.
As we begin a new year, how can we be a beacon of light to our communities and country? I believe Jesus is the answer. We can shine His light by sharing the Word and consistently living humble, loving lives.
I invite you to make a commitment with me today to seek more of Jesus. Let’s commit to pray for and witness to our neighbors and our communities. Let’s go forward together to shine light into darkness and make a difference in our world!
