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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

Light has ever been a symbol of the divine 
presence (see on Gen. 1:3; 3:24). John refers to 
Jesus as the light of men shining forth amid 
the darkness of this world (ch. 1:4"9). Toward 
the close of His ministry Jesus referred to 
Himself as the light of the world (see on John 
8:12; 9:5). Having accepted Jesus as the light of 
the world, a Christian, if true to his calling, 
becomes a reflector of that light. [SDA Bible 
Commentary] 

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 
 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Glorifying Christ
   You may ask, "How can we glorify Christ?" 
By living for Him - trusting, loving, obeying, 
and serving Him, and relying on the Spirit's 
power to do it. We cannot glorify Him in the 
energy of the flesh. Only in the power of the 
Spirit can we live lives that glorify God, for it 
is through the Holy Spirit that Christ is 
glorified in us (Philippians 1:19-20). 
   Peter is a good example of this. He and 
John had been arrested for preaching and were 
brought before the religious leaders. When the 
leaders saw their boldness, "they marveled. And they 
realized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). 
What could be more glorious than having "been 
with Jesus"? 
   The gospel accounts magnify the glory of 
Christ, which brings us hope and increases our 
anticipation of spending eternity with Him. If we do not 
yearn for God, we either do not possess Christ as 
our Savior, or we are not feeding our souls with 
spiritual truth from God's Word. Those who have 
followed Christ "will appear with Him in glory" 
(Colossians 3:4). 
   Do you yearn for God? [Peace for Each Day 
by Billy Graham] 

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 

CLOSING THOUGHT

The Christian Expression
   The reality of our Christian profession 
is shown in many ways: the things we say, as 
well as the things we do not say; the things we 
do, as well as the things we do not do. For 
while Christianity is not primarily a matter of 
externals, nevertheless it does find expression in 
conversation, habits, recreation, emphasis, and ambitions 
to be noted in our daily life. Does our 
conversation honor Christ? Are our habits those of which 
He approves? Are our sources of recreation 
those in which His presence can be a part? Do we 
bow our heads in a word of thanks when eating in 
a public place? Can people tell from the 
emphasis we attach to material things whether we have 
set our affection on things above, or whether we 
are primarily attached to this world? Do people 
see in us an ambition for place and position out 
of accord with that of a Christian? All of 
these are very real and practical questions that 
must be answered, interpreted, and lived before 
our fellow men. 
   Could a stranger tell you're a follower 
of Christ? [Peace for Each Day by Billy 
Graham] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230825-1103.html 

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/