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But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as
darkness: they know not at what they stumble. Prov. 4:18-19
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Phil. 2:15
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid. Matt. 5:14
The path of the just is as the SHINNING light that
shines brighter and brighter. Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives this
definition for the word “shine.”
SHINE – To emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady
radiance; to exhibit lightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day;
the moon shines by night. Shining differs from sparkling, glistening,
glittering, as it usually implies a steady radiation or emission of
light, whereas the latter words usually imply irregular or interrupted
radiation. This distinction is not always not always observed, and we
may say, the fixed stars shine, as well as they sparkle. But we never
say the sun or the moon sparkles.
You have to admit that we see more twinkling, glittering, and sparkling
Christians than shining ones. A lot of Christian experience is more like
an explosion of light that flashes and this disappears. Many others are
like a Christmas tree light that just blinks on once in a while, but
stays off most of the time. There are those that would have to be
described as “twinkling” lights – never very bright, but constantly
varying between dim and dimmer. The Bible doesn’t describe the righteous
person this way. The Bible describes a person who is steady, even,
stable, on course, and unwavering in the darkness. They are like a light
that shines brighter and brighter as they travel the path of life. Their
light gets brighter and brighter – not dimmer and dimmer.
I wonder if you would be willing to honestly examine yourself in light
of the Scriptures to see if your faith and your walk with God is real?
“Take heed lest any man deceive you…” was one of the most often repeated
warnings that Jesus gave to us, and especially in the last days. Jesus
knew what He was saying and He knew the danger of the days we are now
living in, and many (I believe MOST) are deceived. Are you shining for
Jesus?
The kind of faith that saves a person also KEEPS a person saved.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet. 1:5
If you have truly experienced saving faith then you
will have faith that perseveres through whatever obstacles you
encounter. Have no doubt that this faith will be tried. Temptation
doesn’t cease just because you have been saved, but “greater is he that
is in you than he that is in the world.” There will be such
discouragement that you will sometimes wonder how you can possibly go on
– but you can! For some it may be health problems, for others it may be
just defeat after humiliating defeat. It is amazing the problems that
worldly people can go through and keep going in order to obtain their
worldly dream. It is also amazing how little it takes to stop most
professing Christians.
God tests our faith by removing things from our lives that we hold dear,
or that we try to substitute for a real personal walk with Him. It is
only then that others know what kind of faith we have. That is the only
way we have to prove our faith to a skeptical world. When they see that
God’s grace is sufficient for us they have absolutely no way to argue.
God’s grace is sufficient – IF our faith is real. That is when our light
is shining.
You shine when you have faith that is steady, consistent, and stable.
You will not change your convictions when your circumstances change.
Because of your faith the grace of God will be a stronger influence in
your life than your selfishness. We are saved by grace and we are
brought into God’s grace by faith. For by grace are ye saved through
faith; … Eph. 2:8 True saving faith KEEPS us in the grace of God.
Perseverance is the distinguishing mark between the true believer and
the superficial professor. (As many of the old statements of faith
state)
“Perseverance is more than endurance. it is
endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we
are looking for is going to happen.” -Oswald Chambers
He may fall, but he gets up again – because by faith,
he is looking beyond the present circumstances.
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up
again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Prov. 24:16
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the
LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psa. 34:19
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly
cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psa. 37:23-24
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall,
I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto
me. Mic. 7:8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast
down, but not destroyed; 2 Cor. 4:8-9
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious,
and full of compassion, and righteous. Psa. 112:4
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9
Perseverance is not just hanging on or maintaining
what you have – it is shining brighter and brighter as the journey
continues. “Sweeter gets the journey every day …” Our testimony should
be brighter and more convincing as we continue – not just the same as it
was at the beginning. The Bible teaches that we should increase in the
light we are shining forth.
So, is what you have real? Do you keep going and shining brighter no
matter what? Many people find their place in a position of service and
without really realizing it, they make that their focus and purpose. If
you are one of those, how would you fare if you lost your place of
service? If you couldn’t be, or couldn’t do what you do now, what kind
of Christian would you be then? Joseph was the same no matter what
situation he found himself in, or what his position was. Many people
settle down comfortably in the fellowship of a church and that is
substituted for a real, personal, walk with God. They “get involved,”
and take a part in everything, and their lives become centered around
church activities. If you were separated from that fellowship, what kind
of Christian would you be? If things change in the future so that we
can’t meet openly and freely and worship, testify, preach, and
fellowship together, how will your faith fare then? If you are someday
in another church with different people, what moral standards will you
drop that you have now?
Of course, there are many, many people who aren’t interested in doing
anything for God, or being a part of a fellowship and yet they settle
down into a false hope. They were baptized, or made a profession, or
seen a vision, etc. and no one can shake them from that false hope with
words. But the slightest tribulation blows them completely out and
everyone gets to see that what they had was empty and worthless.
What would be left of your spiritual life if you were separated from
family, church family, and all the things that you spend your strength
on? Is Christ really the center of your life and the theme of your
heart? If you were thrown in a dungeon and forgotten would you still be
able to commune with God and trust Him completely? Would you still have
that joy, joy, joy, joy down in the depths of your heart? Would you be
able to stand if no one stood with you? What are you really made of? Are
you willing to take an honest look? Can you honestly say this and mean
it?
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20
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