Scripture
Our verse for today comes right after the beatitudes and is in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Background & Application
Is your light shining today? What would you say was the wattage of your light? We are probably all too familiar with this notion of living in such a way that others see it and glorify God. We even label it and sometimes call it lifestyle evangelism, especially those of us who for whatever reason prefer not to speak up on behalf of our Lord. But how many of us are shining our lights like He intends for us to? And what is our light? Is it just being nice to others, avoiding road rage while in the car, donating your leftovers to charity, or sending some money to the current disaster relief project? These are all necessary things, but how often is someone giving glory to my Father because i cleaned out my closet and took the items to goodwill?
You see, verse 14 says that we are the light of the world, not our good works. We, the chosen children of God, are the light of this fallen world. We must shine full of God’s grace and mercy, humility and peace, so that the dark world can see. And when we shine like this, full of His Spirit, then the world will have something worthy to look at. When we so fully seek the Lord and know the blessings of His grace, then that enables the people around us to see our good works. And a life that bright will be doing a lot more than going to church on Sunday or leaving a Jesus tract on the table in a restaurant. Our deeds will then be so foreign to this world, so unlike what anything in their nice, normal hearts can understand, that they will realize that God is at work and will glorify Him in that. And then, when we do happen to show a simple kindness or bless as others bless, the light of His Spirit will be shining so brightly that others will be able to see that we are operating in God’s realm. Our lives will be so not about ourselves that God’s glory will be apparent even to those watching around us. So brighten the light of your relationship with Jesus, and then go shine for His glory.
Charge
As we seek Him today, ask God to shine more brightly in your heart. Seek to know Him more so that He may use you more in order to be glorified more. Ask God to use you to bring Him glory.
