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.

Be Careful What You Look At

"The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness."  Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that ones eyes are the lamp and light to the body.  If ones eyes are good and look at good, then the whole body is filled with light.  However, if the eyes are bad and look at that which is bad, then the whole body is full of darkness.

Physically, the eyes allow light to enter the body if they are functioning properly.  If they do not function properly and do not allow light to enter, then we live in darkness.  Spiritually, that which we look at and see enters our mind through our eyes.  If what we see is good, then good thoughts are produced.  However, if what we see is bad, evil, or sinful, then that is what we think about.  Philosophically, our eyes are the windows to our soul and we are what we think. (Proverbs 23:7)  So, be careful what you look at, look at good things, read The Good Book (the Bible), think good thoughts, and do good.

Guidance And Direction

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

The author of this psalm is unknown, however it is obvious that he was going through a period of distress. He alternates between praising God and asking for His help, guidance, and direction.

Without the light of The Lord, we would be lost in darkness and frequently loose our way. We would also frequently trip over things that we could not see. The Word of God is the light that allows us to see the right direction and it guides us along the way. Without God in our life, we would surely be lost in darkness and headed down the wrong path. We should be thankful that God has brought us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

Judge Not

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until The Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God." 1 Corinthians 4:5

Judge no man, not even yourself. Often we are too hard on ourselves. When we sin and do wrong, we should confess it, ask for forgiveness and the strength not to repeat it, and move on. At the appointed time God will judge all of us. All that was done in the dark will be brought to light. Our deeds, words, thoughts, and motives will be judged.

This is a New Testament prophecy, The Lord God, Jesus The Christ, is coming back. When He comes, those of us who believe will meet Him in the air, the rapture. And when we meet Him we will be judged. That which gave God glory will be rewarded. And we will have to give an account for everything else that did not give God gory.

So, "let's get right church and let's go home."

Direction And Protection

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. " Psalms 119:105

"I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy word." Psalms 119:107

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Thy word." Psalms 119:114

Not only does Thy word illuminate my path to show me the pitfalls and rocks so that I don't stumble, Thy word provides me with direction and protection.

The song says, "... Please order my steps in Your word ... I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill; If You order my steps, I'll do Your blessed will ... Please order my steps in Your word ..."

Even though I occasionally detour and get off Thy path, please order my steps in Your word.