This is your time...

For such a time as this…

In an hour that is becoming increasingly dark, when the spirit of the Antichrist is trying to eradicate the very name of Christ from Christmas, God is calling us to arise and shine.   We are not to fear the darkness, but rather to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. “But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed in?  And how are they to believe in Him of Whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without a preacher?”  It is not a time to be silent….

“Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon you and give you light.  Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and the witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the most of the time (buying up every opportunity), because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)

The church has been lulled to sleep.  We have become apathetic and complacent.  But God is trying to shake us up out of our lethargy.  It is time to awake, and to arise.  We need to begin to walk with purpose--to make the most of every moment and every opportunity; for the hour is coming when no man will work.  This is our time…

“Do not say, it is still four months until harvest time comes.  Look!  I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, and see how they are already white for harvest.” (John 4:35)  Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.  This is your hour to arise and shine.  There are people in the darkness that are searching for a light of hope—a light of salvation.  They are lost in the dark and can’t find their way.  They need to see our light.

“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  

How do we let our light shine?  By allowing the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives.  When we are humble, and meek, and merciful, we show forth the light of God.  When we love those that are unlovely, and pray for those who persecute us, the light of God shines in us.  We do not overcome evil with evil.  We overcome evil with good.  When we give place to the darkness through our words and actions, the world becomes a little bit darker.  But when we respond as Christ would, the light in us pierces the darkness and overcomes it.

“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:16)

We were once in darkness, but the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has shone in our lives.  Therefore, we need to be imitators of Christ—to walk in His love and live a life that would glorify our heavenly Father.  

For such a time as this were you called….