These verses ring true in 2020. Why are people rioting, looting, and burning down cities? I don’t believe the answer is political. I believe the answer is spiritual. COVID-19 has folks at home this year. That means Christians are home, as well. I believe that with the “salt and light” not out in the world, we will have more chaos. We can have a teeny taste of what would happen if Christians were raptured. Things get exponentially worse in Revelation after the Rapture. In the passage below we see that we are called to be “lights in the world.”

Paul wrote the letter to encourage Philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city and to serve God and others with Jesus as the supreme example of this way to live. Today’s verses are in the middle of 2.1–30, which is an encouragement to humble service. Specifically, here, to live as “lights in the world”. More so, to do it “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” We are called to be Christian “examples.” It’s easy to overlook the impact we have simply by our example. Are you acting like a Christian? Especially in front of others that need to see good, Godly examples of who Christians are called to represent?

The big question is this: IS THE WAY YOU ARE BEHAVING BRINGING PEOPLE TO CHRIST?

Tough question. The end game is to accept Christ, repent from sin and be saved. And then, to share this Good News with everyone you know so they too accept Christ, repent from sin, and are saved. You greatly help this by being the light. Be the light.

Philippians 2.15-18

15 that you may 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, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What are the Philippians called to be? (v. 15)

+ What do you think Paul means by “hold fast to the word of life”? (v. 16)

+ What is sacrificial about faith? (v. 17)

+ What should we be glad about and rejoice for? (v. 18)

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How can you, today, be “the light” of the Gospel to someone in your life?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who, today, needs you to be “the light” of the Gospel?