Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) You are the light
of the world... let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) You are the light of
the world let your good deeds shine out for
all to see, so that everyone will praise your
heavenly Father.
INTRODUCTION
What is the true light? True character is
not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates
from within. If we wish to direct others in the
path of righteousness, the principles of
righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our
profession of faith may proclaim the theory of
religion, but it is our practical piety that holds
forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the
holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the
active, benevolent spirit, the godly example, -
these are the mediums through which light is
conveyed to the world. DA307 [Remnant SB]
Can you hide a city that is sitting on top
of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for
miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like
lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide
our light by 1. being quiet when we should
speak, 2. going along with the crowd, 3. denying
the light, 4. letting sin dim our light, 5. not
explaining our light to others, or 6. ignoring the
needs of others. Be a beacon of truth - don't
shut your light off from the rest of the world.
[Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Impact Without Compromise
Years ago, I arrived home during one of
Californias rolling blackouts. All the power was gone.
The Internet was down. Even the streetlights
were off. There was no light anywhere.
However, I did have my cell phone, which
had a low battery. Still, there was a little
light emanating from it, and I was able to use it
to find my way around. And I discovered that a
little light goes a long way.
We live in a very dark time culturally,
and a little light will go a long way. We have
an entire generation of young people who seem
to be adrift morally and spiritually. That is
why the world so desperately needs the gospel.
The Bible clearly teaches that our
culture will grow darker. It isnt going to get
better; its going to get worse. Even though
humanity has increased in scientific, medical,
historical, educational, psychological, and
technological knowledge to an astounding degree, we have
not changed our basic nature.
Our confidence has increased, but our
peace of mind has diminished. Our accomplishments
have increased, but our sense of purpose and
meaning have all but disappeared. Instead of
improving the moral and spiritual quality of our
lives, our discoveries and accomplishments have
simply provided new ways to show ourselves for what
we really are: depraved, sinful, and wicked.
The spiral is downward, not upward.
As Christians, we might be tempted to
withdraw to our own subculture. But that is not what
were supposed to do. The objective of believers
is not to isolate but to infiltrate. It is not
to evade but to invade.
Jesus said, You are the light of the
world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be
hidden (Matthew 5:14 NLT). We need to impact our
culture without being compromised by it. [Greg
Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
No other light ever has shone or ever
will shine upon fallen man save that which
emanates from Christ. Jesus, the Saviour, is the only
light that can illuminate the darkness of a world
lying in sin. Of Christ it is written, "In Him was
life; and the life was the light of men." John
1:4. It was by receiving of His life that His
disciples could become light bearers. The life of
Christ in the soul, His love revealed in the
character, would make them the light of the world.
Humanity has in itself no light. Apart
from Christ we are like an unkindled taper, like
the moon when her face is turned away from the
sun; we have not a single ray of brightness to
shed into the darkness of the world. But when we
turn toward the Sun of Righteousness, when we
come in touch with Christ, the whole soul is
aglow with the brightness of the divine presence.
MB39,40
Let Christ shine in your life. Develop a
relationship with Jesus that will cause Him to be
revielded in your life and deeds. Christ does not bid
His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your
light shine. If you have received the grace of
God, the light is in you. Remove the
obstructions, and the Lord's glory will be revealed.
COL420
As your relationship with Jesus grows your
life will reflect more and more His glory.
Wherever there is union with Christ there is love.
Whatever other fruits we may bear, if love be
missing, they profit nothing. Love to God and our
neighbor is the very essence of our religion. No one
can love Christ and not love His children. When
we are united to Christ, we have the mind of
Christ. Purity and love shine forth in the
character, meekness and truth control the life. The
very expression of the countenance is changed.
Christ abiding in the soul exerts a transforming
power, and the outward aspect bears witness to the
peace and joy that reign within If we are
connected with the Light, we shall be channels of
light, and in our words and works we shall reflect
light to the world. 1SM337
He who draws nigh to Christ need not try to
shine. As he beholds the Saviour, he catches the
divine rays of light from the Sun of Righteousness,
and he cannot help shining. The light that is in
him shines forth in clear, bright rays, in words
and works of righteousness. Christs grace
dwells in him richly, and heavens light shines
through him. UP322
Let the Light Shine Through
A Sunday school teacher said to her class
of young students, Can any of you tell me
what a saint is? One of the girls in the class
thought about some stained glass windows of the
apostles that she saw. So she said, Those are
people that the light shines through.
That is true. We might be tempted to put
people like Peter, James, John, Matthew, and Paul
on pedestals. When we read about them in the
Bible, they seem like superhuman individuals. But
they were ordinary people like us. They made
mistakes, and the Bible is honest about the mistakes
they made.
But they also were saints. And if you are
a Christian, then youre a saint too. Saint
is simply another word for a follower of Jesus
Christ.
The greatness of the disciples wasnt
because of who they were. It was because Gods
hand was on them. The apostle Paul wrote,
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you
were wise in the worlds eyes or powerful or
wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose
things the world considers foolish in order to
shame those who think they are wise. And he chose
things that are powerless to shame those who are
powerful (1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NLT).
These werent perfect people; they were
ordinary people. But God did extraordinary things
through ordinary people. God seems to go out of His
way to choose unexpected people to go to
unexpected places to do unexpected things.
Jesus did not call the apostles because
they were great; they were great because Jesus
called them. It is not the instrument but the One
who holds the instrument. Before we can change
the world, Jesus must first change us. Then God
can take us, despite our flaws and shortcomings,
and use us for His glory. [Greg Laurie from
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
ILLUSTRATIONS
In previous editions of Mornings with
Jesus, I've shared about my crippling stage fright
and fear of public speaking. Both of which have
been so intense that, on occasion, they've
prevented me from serving God in a full capacity. My
preoccupation with avoiding the spotlight became a
liability in my service to God. I wanted to avoid
facing criticism, exposing my faith-filled beliefs,
appearing prideful, and, in general, receiving any
kind of judgment or disapproval from fellow
believers or otherwise.
Sometimes I mistook my behavior for
humility rather than plain old fear. Still, Jesus
often prodded me forward into places where I was
invited to share, and I struggled.
It took a lot of prayer and seeking to
help me understand that my focus was misplaced -
none of this was about me. It was all about
Jesus! When I gave my life to Christ, all that I am
became His to use as He sees fit. I was withholding
what was rightfully His. Jesus wants His light to
shine through me - I'm not supposed to hide my
gifts and talents. He wants me to daily hand my
life back over to Him and live through Him. And
He especially wants me to hand over my fears.
Today I share openly as a speaker and a
writer. My audiences tell me they find my
vulnerability most helpful. Only Jesus can transform our
greatest fears into our most powerful ministry.
Isabella Campolattaro
Faith Step: Ask Jesus to liberate you
from self-consciousness in any form, so His light
can shine brightly through you. [Mornings With
Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
The gloomy day perfectly reflected my
mood. I'd barely slept the night before, tossing
and turning, thinking about things I couldn't
change. The rain kept me from riding my bike, so
endorphins weren't flooding my body to raise my
spirits. My car was in the shop, so I couldn't leave
the house. I'd gotten a rejection on a story I'd
worked on for days, crushing my self-esteem. And I
had a pimple, the perfect accessory to wear to a
pity party. Jesus, I could use some direction
here.
What would your mother do? I had a pretty
good idea. Mother was a devoted "note writer." A
stickler for writing thank-you notes, Mother wrote
other notes as well - a note to congratulate a
friend on her son's making the honor roll, a note
to wish someone luck in a golf tournament, a
note offering prayers for an upcoming surgery, a
note to say, "I love you, and I'm glad you're my
friend."
Thanks to my mom's influence, I'm a
note-writer too. I pulled out my stationery and my
favorite pen and got ready to write. Who needed a
cheery note from me? My neighbor Gloria, whose
husband had died six months before and I hadn't seen
lately. Betsy, whose last little chick had just left
home for college. Jack, who was recovering from
knee surgery. Kay, who was grieving the loss of
her aged dog. Ted, who had a new grandbaby. With
each note I wrote, I felt better. By afternoon,
the sun had emerged outside, as well as in my
soul. I thanked Jesus for reminding me to honor
Him by doing something good for someone else.
Pat Butler Dyson
Faith Step: Always keep a supply of
stationery, pens, and stamps so you can write a quick
note to someone who needs encouragement.
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will
not walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life. John 8:12 (ESV)
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220113-0822.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211105-0833.html
John 8:12 - The Second I AM; Jesus the Light
of the World!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230705-1013.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
