LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

PROCLAMATION

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus began to preach (Matthew 4:17), and after He had called His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22), He began to heal the sick and cast out demons, and large crowds began to follow Him. (Matthew 4:23-25)  And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountainside, sat down and began to teach them.  This was His famous Sermon on the Mount which began with The Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:1-12)   Jesus told them that they were the salt of the earth, and they were the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) He told them that they were to let the light which was within them shine so that men may see it in their good works and glorify God in heaven.  Then He made it clear that He came to fulfill the law and not to destroy it. (Matthew 5:17-20)  Jesus taught them on a number of topics, this was His longest discourse. (Matthew 5:1 to 7:28)

APPLICATION

As we live our lives and do our daily deeds, we are to live in such a way as to let the light of Christ that is within us shine so that men may see The Christ in us and glorify God, our Father in heaven.  Men should see our zeal and our fervency for things which honor God.  Our actions should display the fruit of The Holy Spirit of God, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)  The very purpose of our lives should be to glorify God.  To God be the glory!!!

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE DOCTRINE

Proclamation:

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached … or a different gospel from the one you accepted … such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.  Their end will be what their actions deserve.”  2 Corinthians 11:4-15 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter, Paul continues his discourse on the false teachers.  He says that he will continue his attack on them and no one can stop him. (2 Corinthians 11:10-12)   Those false prophets deceive the people just as the serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. (2 Corinthians 11:3)  He ends the chapter by recounting the trials and suffering that he has gone through. (2 Corinthians 11:16-33)

Application:

An important reason for reading and studying The Word of God is to be able to recognize when someone is presenting something which is different and wrong.  Eloquent speech can be full of lies which are presented artfully.  Doctrines, philosophies, religions, and teachings should be compared to God’s Holy Word before they are accepted as true.  Satan is continuously roaming the earth, back and forth, seeking those whom he may destroy. (Job 1:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:8)  He is cunning and crafty, and he is full of lies. (John 8:44)  Do not be deceived by those who come presenting lies. (Deuteronomy 11:16 and Luke 21:8)  As the saying goes, “all that glitters is not gold.”  Also beware of those who come glorifying themselves and not glorifying The Lord God.