From Alex Robinson

Shining Like Stars

CHRIST’S LOVE SHINING IN US

Apparently, the brightest star in the sky is named Sirius. Have you ever noticed it? I’ve moved house three times in recent years, and at each location, there’s been a gap in the window blinds where this bright star would catch my eye as I lay in bed.

There’s something captivating about a star shining so brightly among the others, against the darkness of the night sky.

Did you know the Bible suggests it’s possible for us, as God’s people, to shine as brightly as these stars against the darkness of this world?

Philippians 2:15b (in the NLT) says, “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

Another version (the NIV) says we – as “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation” – will “shine among them like stars in the sky”.

So, as we live clean and innocent lives, we’ll shine.

For me, there’s one problem. If shining for God depends on my perfectly clean and innocent life, it might not be a very bright light. Because try as I may – to love better, to be less selfish and more self-controlled – I so often fail. And with the failure sometimes comes a crushing sense that I’ve let God down. Can you relate?

Thanks be to God that Jesus came to bring us Good News! Let’s remind ourselves what it is. As believers, we know the status of innocence in God’s sight is something we only receive as a gift, not through our own effort. This is the very gift of salvation Christ Jesus achieved for us by dying in our place. He’s the one who covers every weakness, shortcoming and failure with the gift of his perfect righteousness – like a beautiful white robe to wear – declaring us faultless before God.

With this gift comes another one: to be called children of God, perfectly loved and approved by our Father in Heaven. As we receive this gift, and Jesus fills us with his love through the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves increasingly free to love.

This is the life – the love – that shines so brightly against a crooked and perverse world. A love that perseveres. A love that doesn’t delight in the failures of others but rejoices in their success. A love without strings attached – that would lay down its life, not only for a friend but for an enemy. A love we could never humanly live out.

Christ’s love in you, in me. We love, because he first loved us. Now that is a beautiful thought.

Reflection

• Have we slipped into relying on our own efforts to shine Christ’s light, and found ourselves falling short?
• How can we return to our position as beloved children of God – deeply loved and able to love, because he first loved us?
• What practical steps will I take this week as I seek to let the light of Christ’s love shine through my life?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for declaring me innocent, approved and beloved by you because of Christ’s gift of salvation. Help me rest in your love and in the assurance I’m your child. As I do, I pray your love may fill me to overflowing, shining as a bright light through me – yes, even me – against the backdrop of all that’s dark in this world. And may your love in me draw others to know you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.