“Among whom you shine as lights in the world…” Philippians 2:15
Paul reminds the Philippians of their mission, their purpose in this life.
Among whom He refers back to wicked and perverse generation among the church at Philippi lived. They realize they are at war, the enemy is attacking them. They, like the Lord’s church in every age, live in a dark sinful world. The word among is important. It tells us that
God has placed His lights throughout the darkness as He pleased so that true light is visible to all.
You shine as lights in the world Paul told the Philippians they lived in a crooked generation. They are not sent by God to straighten out this generation, that is impossible. They can, however, shine as a light. The word light means to illuminate and shine forth as a luminous body.
First, we realize the light is not our own, Like the moon to the sun, we reflect God’s light to the earth. God placed the moon in the skies almost one-quarter billion miles from the Earth. The moon is relatively small. Approximately 1.65 million moons can fit inside our massive sun. Yet with energy of its own, the moon reflects the radiance of that greater heavenly body. It appears to be relatively insignificant. The moon generates no light of its own – by itself the moon is cold and dead but it takes on great meaning as it quietly reflects the great light of the sun so that all on earth can see in the darkness. Without any commotion the moon exerts a tremendous influence on the earth as it controls the tides. In this manner Paul exhorts the Philippians to influence on the people around them. This is what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Second, Paul uses the present tense for “shine”. We are to continually make Christ visible to the world we live in. We may not be
significant in the world’s eyes but God has placed us exactly where He wants us to make sure the whole world is bathed in light.
Third, we note the kind of light we are to be. One commentator says we are not searchlights or spotlights but lights on the path showing others the way. Lights can illuminate a road so people can see things as they really are. Light can illuminate the path from one point to another. Light can expose and warn of danger along the way. Light is essential to darkness.
Fourth, light is necessary for life. Life is dependent on access to light because without light can be no life.
Fifth, we see where the believers’ light points. The only other time this word for light is used in the New Testament is where John
describes the New Jerusalem writing that it shows the glory of God. Where does our light point? To something of great value – to livewhere God dwells.
What can we learn? Paul tells the Philippians there are two kinds of Christians – those who whine and those who shine. Again we remember the lesson Paul is teaching the Philippians – to walk worthy with the mind of Christ.
What did the Lord tell us? “Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” If the world does not have light there is no way they can find eternal life.