Why Does the Believer have to Arise and Shine?

The Bible says in Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” This passage is encouraging believers to arise and shine, and this is an idea that is repeated throughout the bible.

In this article, we will explore the reason why the believer should arise & shine and what this message means for us today.

The intention

It’s planned for the reader to religiously explore the idea of “arise and shine” from a spiritual standpoint.

It’s important to not allow discouragement or self-doubt to stifle your faith, but rather to use those graces for motivation and inspiration in your daily life.

The focus should be to strive to keep growing in your faith by saturating your mind with scripture and prayer while reaching out to others who may be struggling.

When faced with adversity, you should stand strong in your faith and refuse to be overcome by fear or doubt. With God’s strength fuelling you, you can break through barriers that previously seemed insurmountable.

My prayer is that we arise & shine today and every day as believers so that others may look at us and be encouraged!

Encouragement to believers

What does it mean to arise and shine?

The phrase “arise & shine” is taken from scripture in the book of Isaiah 60:1, which states: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

This phrase can have a number of different interpretations depending on context.

Generally speaking, it can refer to anyone who has a strong faith in God and strives to live accordingly; they are asked to rise up and bring the light of God into their lives, even when darkness or obstacles stand in their way.

For those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, this phrase also echoes His call to serve Him through acts of righteousness and spreading His Gospel with enthusiasm.

In addition to providing a call to action for believers seeking spiritual growth, this verse provides hope that no matter what difficulties someone might face in life they will still be held up by God’s gracefulness.

Even when life seems hard, we should recognize that there is something good within us all – the spark that runs deep inside us burned by faith that can help lift our spirits and bring about positive change in our lives.

As Believers, we can look towards God’s promises for strength and guidance when we feel like we are sinking into darkness instead of finding breakthroughs and searching for alternatives to make things work out more positively.

Ultimately, this verse serves as an encouraging reminder that despite troubles or hardships in life, His light will always be there to help us through it if we are prepared to take action by arising and shining forth with positivity – just like how early morning brings forth the brightness anew each day!

The reason?

It is a call that can be applied to missions, evangelism, and social action outreach.

To readers, our prayer is that they will gain valuable insight into what it means for them individually to arise & shine for the Lord.

Biblical Basis (What does it mean to arise & shine?)

The command to arise & shine is based on the Bible which is the inerrant authority for all believers. The Bible makes it clear that in order to be truly transformed and experience the fullness of God’s blessings, believers must make the decision to let go of their old life and lead a new one.

This is best expressed in Isaiah 60:1-2, which says “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

In these verses, God is calling out to His people to arise & shine in His light. He is calling them to take back their power and live a life of purpose and holiness. From this scripture, we can see the importance of us believers arising and shining in God’s light.

Why the believer has to Arise & Shine

1. The believer is charged to do so because it’s a law

a. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 19:7

b. Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1

2. It represents life.

a. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6

3. It comes from God.

a.  For I am the Lord. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,” says the Lord God.’ ”

Ezekiel 12:25

4. God is the ultimate light

a. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

b. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14

The call to arise & shine (What are the benefits of Arise & Shine?)

This is a call from God to believers to live out their faith in Christ with courage and conviction.

Being called to arise & shine means that the believer must take action based on their faith – leaving behind their cares and sorrows, in order to live an abundant life in service to God.

God’s call to arise & shine has several aspects that should be kept in mind.

• Firstly, believers are being called to leave behind the darkness and take up light – turning away from past sins and living a life of holiness in accordance with God’s will. This will be done through embracing Jesus as Lord and depending on Him for salvation so that one can become clothed with His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

• Secondly, believers are being called to walk in love with God through obedience – using one’s gifts, opportunities, and resources to serve others according to His Word (Galatians 5:13-14).

• Thirdly, believers are being called to indulge in prayer so that focusing on what Jesus said will guide them towards the expected end (John 15:7-9).

• Lastly, believers are being called into a place of rest from works so they can meditate upon Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

By taking action based on these aspects all believers can answer the call of Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, Shine; for our Light has come – expressing their faith through good works (Ephesians 2:10) and reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ!

How Christians can arise & shine

Bible verses on arise and shine (What does the Bible say about Rise and Shine?)

Live righteously

• Proverbs 4:18 – “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day”

• Matthew 13:43 – “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Be connected with Christ

• John 8:12 – “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

• John 12:45 – ” I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Meditate on His Word

• Psalm 19:130 – “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”

• Jeremiah 15:16 – “Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”

Believe in God’s promises

• Romans 4:17 – ” (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;”

• Job 22:28 – “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.”

Engage in God’s Work

• Daniel 12: 3 – “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”

• Matthew 5:16 – ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The example of Jesus

The example of Jesus Christ is central to a believer’s motivation to arise & shine. When Jesus left the tomb on Easter Sunday, He was demonstrating that a believer can overcome even death and its physical limitations.

This ultimately provides hope for believers throughout their own lives, where the possibilities are not limited to what can be seen in the here and now.

As the basis for their faith, believers should look instead to what lies ahead in eternity – ”For he who has endured unto the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

Furthermore, when Jesus humbly fed those gathered around Him on multiple occasions (Matthew 14:17-20; Mark 6:40-43), He taught that it is possible to live sacrificially while maintaining excellence in all areas of life.

Therefore, it is from Christ’s example that believers look towards if they’re inspired to imitate Him in their living out of faith.

The importance of faith

The Bible makes it clear that faith is extremely important for a life of Christian discipleship, hence in order to arise & shine, one needs to understand the essence of faith in that regard.

In Hebrews 11:1, we read, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

This verse makes it clear that faith is not just a leap in the dark or a blind hope – rather, faith is an act of hope in spite of our circumstances.

We can be sure that even when circumstances appear hopeless, God will provide us with the strength and resources to keep going.

Arise & shine and its implications for the Believer

The anchor passage carries several implications:

• Believers must remember to look up in the faith. Beyond recognizing the presence of God in their lives, they must also choose to rise out of their troubles and look forward with hopeful anticipation.

• This is not simply an individual command but one meant for the entire body of believers – we have an obligation to support one another in our struggles and help each other keep faith alive even when times are tough.

• This statement emphasizes that each believer’s spiritual journey should be focused on living with humility as they seek true holiness and the right relationship with God.

Practical Application

The Bible makes it clear that believers are to be shining light in the darkness of this world. By this singular act, people, or more specifically unbelievers, will know that believers are disciples of Christ by the way they live their lives.

It is crucial that we understand the practical application of this passage and how it applies to our lives.

That is why we are admonished by the Bible in Matthew

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 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.

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

Matthew 5:14-16

Simply put, every Christian is a light that has to shine for others to see and benefit from.

The importance of prayer in arising and shining

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life, and believers are commanded in Scripture to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Prayer is one of the primary ways that we can communicate with God and is a way for us to express our thoughts and needs to Him. It should be seen as an act of worship to Him as it reflects our recognition of his sovereign lordship over all that exists.

As we pray, it shows humility before God in acknowledging His authority and greatness.

A believer will also learn much in prayer through seeking His guidance, direction, and submitted trust.

As a result, prayer unlocks grace from above which allows us to approach our Father giving us strength while aiding us with insight into the paths He desires for our lives.

For these reasons and many more, believers should make time for prayer so they may arise & shine through the glory of their heart-felt communication with their Heavenly Father (Isaiah 60:1).

The power of the Word of God in arising and shining

The power of God’s Word is essential for the believer in Jesus Christ. The Bible is the primary tool for Christians to achieve their purpose, the transformation of their life from darkness to light. We are called to rise and shine because the Word of God gives us strength, just as a lamp illuminates a dark room with its light.

The term “rise and shine” conveys a powerful idea: that believers are made up of more than just physical beings; we must also embody spiritual truths through our daily walk with God so that we can become reflections of Him here on earth.

Believers must arise in faith by sharing this truth and shining brightly by living out their faith.

The Word of God leads believers into all truth;

• It proceeds from the mouth of God;

• It brings joy and life to those who believe it;

• The Word of God creates living souls;

• It sustains us when we cannot sustain ourselves;

• It brings forgiveness, peace, and hope to those seeking it;

• It illuminates darkness through its clear instructions, warnings, and promises; then

• Finally, it guides us toward eternity in heaven.

We can use biblical wisdom as fuel for each day’s journey as Christians, for it’s a key element for rising above fear, doubt, or discouragement.

As believers plant this vital seed into their lives during prayer, worship services, or quiet devotionals at home alone, or anywhere they might be, they can look forward to the harvest: increased spiritual understanding over time which will empower them to trust Him more fully and joyfully live out His plan for each day.

When Christians understand why they should arise & shine through personal application of Bible verses, they can reflect on how truly special it is that every morning brings an opportunity to be filled with mercy, to have insight and strength, which are all found within the word of God.

The need for a personal revival

A personal revival is essential for a believer if they wish to grow in their faith and become more effective in carrying out the work of God.

Revival is the deep, abiding work of the Holy Spirit that awakens believers to see and understand the wondrous truths and promises contained in God’s Word, helping them to live closer to God’s will each day.

Believers must pray for revival, seek revival, embrace revelation, and nurture a relationship with God through devoted prayer and Bible study.

The need for personal revival does not just arise from within but arises as an act of obedience to what Christ commands as He works His will through our lives (Isaiah 60:1-2).

As believers open their hearts and minds to receive from Him, Christ draws near to them (James 4:8), transforming their individual lives in the process.

Practically speaking, spiritual revival renews the inner life causing fruitfulness by increasing motivation towards Christian service along with lessons learned from failure or sin (Galatians 5:22-23).

Overcoming sin is one form of transformation that must happen within each believer before they can display an outward reformation in their Christian walk.

Furthermore, a spiritual awakening affects not only one’s relationship with Christ but also relationships with other people — particularly those most closely connected with us (Mark 12:31-32).

Holiness is a distinguishing character trait that must be nurtured; holiness involves much more than merely adhering to religious customs.

True holiness involves selfless behavior focused on reaching out to save lost souls around us (Romans 12:1-2; 13:12-14(a)).

When believers arise with new power and energy for witness and service for Christ it naturally shines forth into areas unimaginable!

Are you down and lost focus?

As believers, we are not without Hope – and God will never leave us at our lowest points.

In fact, He calls us to arise from even our darkest moments and shine! Scripture encourages us to “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1)

This means, despite the difficult life circumstances we may find ourselves in, we can still rest in His promises and choose to walk in righteousness and obedience.

God speaks to us throughout His Word with reminders of these truths so that we can encounter hope and joy when hope seems distant.

He provides timely instructions and practical applications to live out fruitfully in this world as His children.

One primary example of this is found within Ephesians 5:14-18 where Paul writes:

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light…. And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Herein, beloved, lies a great call for us, as believers, to trust Him enough to arise out of the darkness that could potentially leave us spiritually numb from spiritual staleness or lulled into sin (both of which cannot bring true joy).

To contrast these things His Spirit brings life-renewing truth by leading us through our suffering toward freedom found in Jesus Christ alone!

This, my dear friend, can truly be seen as “arise & shine!”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the believer must arise & shine in order to be a light in a world filled with darkness. The believer must be like a city that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden.

He or she must be a beacon of hope to those who are lost and struggling. Through this example of love, the believer can live a life of purpose, service, and fulfillment.

When the believer arises and shines, he or she can be a witness to the saving power of Christ.
Summary of the article

In summary, as believers have access to God’s power through faith which transcends any temporary problems or difficulties associated with living in a broken world— there is no need for despair because just as God shone His light on Israel in Isaiah 60:1 may our hearts believe that same promise today!