“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Who is the light of the world? In the Bible, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). But Jesus also tells His disciples, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
How can both Jesus and His followers be the light of the world?
Think of a mirror. Have you ever held up a mirror and seen sunlight reflecting off of it? It seems as though a beam of light is coming straight out of the mirror. But the light does not really come from the mirror! It comes directly from the sun, and indirectly from the mirror. Sunlight merely bounces off of a mirror. On its own, the mirror would not be able to generate light, would it? The sun itself is the source of the light.
It is similar with Christians. Jesus is the ultimate Source of their “light.” On their own, Jesus’ followers could never produce that kind of light; but, as Christians become more like Jesus Christ, they shine their light by reflecting (showing) what Jesus is like. It is not a Christian’s goodness that shines, but the goodness of Jesus. The “light” comes directly from the Son, and only indirectly from the Son’s reflection in His people.
When others see the good things Christians do – like being kind, loving, or patient – they should think of Jesus and praise God the Father. God should always get the glory for the good things we do, because all we do because of Christ reflects back to God and His glorious plans.
The goodness of Jesus should shine through Christians.
My Response:
» Do I “shine my light” by doing good things that show others what Jesus is like?
» Do I point to God and give Him glory by the good things I do?