Shane (name changed to protect his identity) took a big job at a well-known company. Within a few months of overseeing its operations, he discovered some dark financial secrets. Doing his job, he delved into a morass of monetary fraud. As he exposed the impropriety, an unexpected thing happened. He was brought before the board of the company and threatened. Shane, a believer in Jesus, stood his ground. His integrity shone brightly even though he was released by the company’s board under false pretenses.
The church at Philippi knew only too well what it felt like to be persecuted for doing the right thing. Paul, under house arrest for preaching the good news, penned an encouraging message to the suffering Philippian believers. He told them:
Stay strong in Jesus. The apostle wrote, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). As they relied on God, they could claim the promise that His power and presence would strengthen and help them do the right things.
Shine brightly for Jesus. “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people,” Paul wrote (Philippians 2:15). How do we do that? Paul implored the believers at Philippi to “hold firmly” to the good news that he had brought them and that they had believed (Philippians 2:16).
What Paul shared wasn’t some pie-in-the-sky ideal; he had triumphantly faced the bitter sting of persecution many times. And yet even under house arrest he rejoiced in his suffering, and he desired that the Philippians “share that joy” (Philippians 2:17).
May Jesus give you joy as you stay strong and shine brightly for Him—even if you’re persecuted for doing the right thing.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 7:15–9:7
More:
Read John 15:5 and consider what God does in and through us as we live surrendered, brightly shining lives for Him.
Next:
What’s keeping you from shining brighter for Jesus? How can you experience His power and presence more fully this week?
BearPair on February 7, 2016 at 3:34 am
Great exhortation, Tom–Thanks! Shane’s situation, unfortunately, is NOT unique. Sadly, there are even Christian organizations that would rather turn a deaf ear, rather than stand for what is right, this shining brightly. We need this reminder often!
Tom Felten on February 8, 2016 at 8:26 am
So true, BearPair. So glad that God is with us even when the pain of rejection and persecution threatens.
Gary Shultz on February 7, 2016 at 6:12 am
We can draw many analogies from life, or wildlife. We see the pig with its nose in the dirt and mud of life only seeing what can be gained from the slop. The eagle sees its life’s journey from a much different vantage point. We could say a lot more about these comparisons; however, I would like to move on….Thanks for pulling with us on this stage of Christian thought, as you have been pushed into a difficult place in your journey. I’m sure many pray. Thanks for being a Shane, an eagle.
Tom Felten on February 8, 2016 at 8:28 am
Thank you, Gary. I’m blessed by your words and I so appreciate your vivid metaphor of the pig looking only down in the the dirt . . . the slop. Yes, may we look up today and soar with the strength that comes from Christ alone!
gagirllive on February 7, 2016 at 7:52 am
Can’t think of a more timely word of exhortation for these times we’re living in, Tom. The darker the night…the brighter our light should be. God bless you, brother.
Tom Felten on February 8, 2016 at 8:29 am
So true, gagrillive. The darkness can allow the brilliance and beauty of Jesus to shine even more powerfully!
jim spillane on February 7, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Tom – history tells us that the city of Philippi was a large Roman colony intensely loyal to the Empire, but not known for its high moral standards. It was sort of a favorite retirement haven for many of the loyal officers of the Roman Empire and the opposition to Paul’s work there was often obvious. But the Christians in the city were a source of great joy and encouragement to him. That note of joy runs throughout the entire letter; joy in suffering, joy in Christian service, joy in Christ, and joy in personal contentment. It may be my favorite among all of Paul’s epistles. Just felt like sharing that with you, for you are a shining light in a very dark world. Thank you!
Tom Felten on February 8, 2016 at 8:31 am
Thanks for sharing this context. Jim. It truly helps shed even more light on Paul’s situation. And, yes, like you I also deeply love the book of Philippians!