Scripture Post #606: *LIGHTS IN THE WORLD*

Philippians 2:15: "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;"

Disclaimer: The image used for this Scripture Post, in its original form, was from an image search engine. It is not an image of my own. 

This Scripture was from Apostle Paul and Timotheus, to the Saints of Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons (Phil. 1:1).

"That ye may be blameless and harmless…" (this Scripture) throws you right into a Passage with a set context from previous Scriptures. So to get a fuller understanding, the previous verses within the context must be stated. The Scripture Passage reads smoother this way (with the proper context included):

Phil. 2:12: "…Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

V. 13: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

V. 15: "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;" 

You see? You see how much smoother verse 15 is, when the proper context (verses 12-13) is added to it. This is why I believe context is vital. 

From the context we gather that after we've worked out our own salvation, it is then, GOD WHO works in us to do of HIS good pleasure. Then verse 15 kicks in, stating that we are the blameless, harmless, sons of GOD, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in this world. 

Notice the word "blameless" here. Also notice "lights in the world". The world is the unsaved (sinners). Sinners sin. Sinners aren't blameless. You can *blame* a sinners for fornicating, stealing, lying, cheating, etcetera. But this Passage describes us (Saints) as blameless. You can't blame us for fornicating, stealing, lying, cheating, etcetera. That's what makes us stand out. Light stands out in darkness! Darkness is sin. Light is holiness. This is what "lights in the world" means! 

Matt. 5:14: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

V. 15: "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."

V. 16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Now if you sin, repent. And know that sin is a choice; it is not inevitable. We should desire to be holy, likened unto ABBAFATHER GOD, WHO is Holy. For we are HIS children, and are to resemble HIM, our Holy GOD.

Originally Published: Sun. 5/11/14