Shining for God’s glory

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Jesus reminds His disciples, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). Since He is no longer here, He has passed His illuminating duties on to His disciples. “You are the light of the world [now], a town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). The disciples are called upon to be obvious. We are to light the way for others. God has sent us to take the light to the nations. We cannot produce the light ourselves; it is Christ in us that shines out. Christ is the hope of glory. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We do not perform good works to call attention to ourselves but to bring glory to God. Our good works are a result of our salvation. Our joy of knowing Christ as Lord and Savior will result to serving Him producing good works. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). When we live the way God called us to live, we put on display God who shines brightly for all to see. Works do not save. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Every saved person will do good works. What are some good works we can do today that will show others the light of Jesus and glorify our Father in heaven? As the line in the classic song says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

Blessings,