being the witness, being the light

I was at sunday service yesterday, the message was about the 2 witnesses in the end times, from Revelation 11. The preacher was talking about being the city on the hill, God's representative light to the world. The way he phrased it though made it an optional thing. The main thing....the only real thing that I have to say is regarding that.There is nothing optional about us being God representatives on the Earth. If you call yourself a Christian you are automatically looked at more closely. Is it fair, not especially, but life's not fair, move on. If you call yourself a Christian you are watched, scrutinized. (I know I repeated that but it's a main part of my point here)

If you live like the world does, "doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." (1 Peter 4:3) you don't know God and the only light you display is actually darkness. Light & dark can't co-exist, they never have. Those who live in sin do not know Jesus. That sin becomes the "light" that is given off.

For those who know Jesus, living according to His precepts & seeking him persistently the light is drastically different. Might be as "simple" as Joy or Mercy or complex as forgiveness & service.

We all give off light. The light is the witness to who we are, what we love & what we serve. We all make an impact. In our work places, with our friends & family, always. The choices we make determine what shines from us but something does shine from our lives whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not.

I'm keeping this one short, not gonna just rehash the point to make it longer & I said what I wanted to say.