May 18, 2018 YOU ARE LIGHT
Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
For many different reasons, believers can become guilty of putting their light under the peck measure, hiding their light. We are often told to ‘be light’, but the scriptures tell us that we ARE the “light of the world.” As believes, we have been made new and given a new nature, a new spirit, and a new mind and have been adopted into the family of God. However, should we not learn of our new identity as sons and daughters of God, should we not seek Him first, and should we live in a way that is contrary to the gospel, our light becomes hidden. The good news for us is that God has done all that is necessary in order for our light to shine in a dark world; we are lights, because God is light. It is a spiritual milestone for us when we come to know that we have been given a new nature-a nature that is of God! Because we have been joined to Him, we can now think and act in such a way that it is in keeping with the nature of God. So, as simple as it may sound, let us be about committing acts of righteousness, doing good, and letting the nature of Christ shine through our actions. We can do something to bless our neighbor; we can encourage the clerk at the store; we can provide a meal to someone in need; we can visit the sick; we can pray for someone; we can be a peacemaker; the list goes on. HOWEVER, note that we are to let our light shine ‘in such a way’ that our Father in heaven is glorified. Even though it brings a certain sense of satisfaction to do a good deed- that is the way God designed it-in no way are we to take any credit for doing a good deed. That’s the difference. If we take the glory for what we do, then we are not being the light of the world-we are just being self-serving; the good deeds we do should flow out of our relationship with God. The ultimate freedom is to realize that God has invited us to partner with Him-to be a part of His light shining in the place we live! It’s not about us-it is all about Him. Do not fear being called a ‘do-gooder’- don’t wait until ‘you have it all together’ – don’t wait for a better opportunity - go ahead and let your light shine and glorify your Father who is in heaven. As you do, you will find that the ultimate joy in life is being the light of the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
For many different reasons, believers can become guilty of putting their light under the peck measure, hiding their light. We are often told to ‘be light’, but the scriptures tell us that we ARE the “light of the world.” As believes, we have been made new and given a new nature, a new spirit, and a new mind and have been adopted into the family of God. However, should we not learn of our new identity as sons and daughters of God, should we not seek Him first, and should we live in a way that is contrary to the gospel, our light becomes hidden. The good news for us is that God has done all that is necessary in order for our light to shine in a dark world; we are lights, because God is light. It is a spiritual milestone for us when we come to know that we have been given a new nature-a nature that is of God! Because we have been joined to Him, we can now think and act in such a way that it is in keeping with the nature of God. So, as simple as it may sound, let us be about committing acts of righteousness, doing good, and letting the nature of Christ shine through our actions. We can do something to bless our neighbor; we can encourage the clerk at the store; we can provide a meal to someone in need; we can visit the sick; we can pray for someone; we can be a peacemaker; the list goes on. HOWEVER, note that we are to let our light shine ‘in such a way’ that our Father in heaven is glorified. Even though it brings a certain sense of satisfaction to do a good deed- that is the way God designed it-in no way are we to take any credit for doing a good deed. That’s the difference. If we take the glory for what we do, then we are not being the light of the world-we are just being self-serving; the good deeds we do should flow out of our relationship with God. The ultimate freedom is to realize that God has invited us to partner with Him-to be a part of His light shining in the place we live! It’s not about us-it is all about Him. Do not fear being called a ‘do-gooder’- don’t wait until ‘you have it all together’ – don’t wait for a better opportunity - go ahead and let your light shine and glorify your Father who is in heaven. As you do, you will find that the ultimate joy in life is being the light of the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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