We are called to be “Light Bearers” in a world where the darkness has been increasing. The blindness of the people has led them down a path of death and destruction. However, “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”.
To be a light bearer, you must take on Christ and His anointing. To do this, you must walk in Love. To walk in Love, you must focus on Love, first and foremost. As you focus on Love, you are brought into unity with Our Heavenly Father and others who walk in Love. Paul states in Philippians 2:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
We are called to be “like-minded”. How can we achieve this? By having the same Love and placing the Word of Our Heavenly Father as our only doctrine, not the opinions of men. HIS Law is perfect thus we should be able to align ourselves with HIS Word and become like-minded. We then can become in one accord, of one mind. When we are in unity, we are strong in Christ. We become a people of “no resistance” to HIS purpose in our lives.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Self-preservation is the issue here. Are you walking in selfish ambition or conceit? Do you try to exalt yourself above others in your conversation? There are so many subtleties found in our words as we express ourselves to others. Inferences and innuendoes communicate “self-preservation”. Start looking at ways to serve those in need. Start looking at ways to plant good seed in other peoples’ lives. Obviously, money is a means to be a blessing and it so probably the most sensitive topic I can write about. Why? If the reader’s heart is impure, he or she will assume that I am trying to extract money from them for my personal gain. I find that money provides one of the best barometers for where people are at spiritually. Here is what Our Heavenly Father thinks about those who give:
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
HE Loves them! They have overcome their flesh which looks at resources from a “scarcity” point of view. Their spirit knows that MY GOD shall supply all my need. Can a Light Bearer NOT be a cheerful giver? There are those who give out of duty or guilt and there are those who give out of Love. Then there are those who simply don’t give. They have rationalized away the need to be a giver. They point to past abuses by others as their justification for not giving. They look at their own circumstances and see no way to give. They are defined by their own scarcity rather than trusting Our Heavenly Father to supply their need. When they withhold their resources, they are looking out for their own interests, rather than the interests of others. Paul warned us of this heart condition of self interest.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
A Light Bearer is used by Our Heavenly Father to do HIS good pleasure. Is that your innermost desire? If so, you must be willing to give to others. You don’t have any money? Give something… time, a kind word, a service… something. But only do it if you can be cheerful about it, not grudgingly. If you want to give to Servias Ministries or another ministry, don’t give because I made you feel guilty. We give into the ministry ourselves and cheerfully provide other resources to bring forth the Gospel. My consolation is provided by My Heavenly Father. HE does a fine job of meeting our needs. I am truly grateful for HIS deliverance and provisions in my life. It allows me to minister to others and be a “Light” unto them. Let me encourage you to do the same. Walk the path of Love with me and let our lights amplify each other so that the world sees us in unity, one accord, of one mind. This is what everyone is looking for. Self-preservation would keep a division or wall in place and cause your light to be quenched. Let our individual lights become as one bright light:
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Shine forth!