WE SHOULD LET OUR LIGHT SHINE

Proclamation:

"... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ, as He spoke to His disciples and indirectly to the surrounding crowd during His Sermon on The Mount.  After He presented the beatitudes, Jesus told them that they were the salt of the earth and then He said that they were the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Application:

Salt has a purifying influence in addition to having a unique taste.  Light always defeats darkness and it reveals things which are hidden in the dark.  As believers we are to be a purifying influence in a sin sick world.  We are to be the light which shines so that the lost can find their way to Christ.  We are to live our lives in such a manner that others can see The Christ within us.  Our good deeds are to be done for the benefit of others, to help, encourage, edify, and enlighten them.  We are to be living examples of good Christian behavior for others to see and imitate.  Additionally, we are to do so, not for the personal praise from men, but for the glory of God.  Before we speak or act, we should ask ourselves, "What would Jesus say or do in this situation?"  Let us examine the motives for our words and actions.  Let us stop living for personal attention, glory, gain, and gratification.  We each should pray and ask God, "What is His purpose for our life?"  Then we should let our light shine and live for the glory of God.