The first recorded words of God in the Bible are these, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Up to that point the cosmos were full of darkness (Genesis 1:2). So the first thing God did in His work of creation was deal with the darkness.
That seems to be God’s way. Wherever God sees darkness He sends light. Into a dark world God sent Jesus (John 9:5). Into that same dark world Jesus sent us (John 20:21).
We have been chosen and sent for a purpose. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14a,16). What Jesus said is true for every believer. You are light.
Light has one basic objective - to shine! Jesus wants us to shine before people so they may see. The whole point of shining the light is to enable people to see who otherwise cannot see. This world is a dark place. People are lost in the dark. What a difference the light makes!
Jesus told us how to shine the light, “That they may see your good works.” Jesus connected shining our light with doing good works. I think it’s interesting He did not say, “That they may hear your good words.” Good words are important, but the emphasis here is on good works. Why? Maybe it’s easier for people to hear our good words after they have seen our good works.
And then notice the intended result of shining the light, “That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The purpose of shining the light is not to be seen, but to enable others to see and glorify our heavenly Father. It’s never about us. It’s always about Him!
A boy was visiting one of the great cathedrals of Europe with his family. He saw the massive stained glass windows with figures of the saints and how the sunlight shone through the glass casting beautiful colors on the cathedral walls and floors.
When he got home he told his friends about his trip and the cathedral with the stained glass windows with the figures of the saints. When asked by a friend, “What is a saint?” the boy thought for a moment then said, “A saint is a person the light shines through.”
Never underestimate the power of shining your light. Never overlook the significance of a good work done in Jesus’ name no matter how simple it may seem. Be a person the light shines through so others may see and be drawn, and God can be glorified.
Pastor Todd Weston
That seems to be God’s way. Wherever God sees darkness He sends light. Into a dark world God sent Jesus (John 9:5). Into that same dark world Jesus sent us (John 20:21).
We have been chosen and sent for a purpose. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14a,16). What Jesus said is true for every believer. You are light.
Light has one basic objective - to shine! Jesus wants us to shine before people so they may see. The whole point of shining the light is to enable people to see who otherwise cannot see. This world is a dark place. People are lost in the dark. What a difference the light makes!
Jesus told us how to shine the light, “That they may see your good works.” Jesus connected shining our light with doing good works. I think it’s interesting He did not say, “That they may hear your good words.” Good words are important, but the emphasis here is on good works. Why? Maybe it’s easier for people to hear our good words after they have seen our good works.
And then notice the intended result of shining the light, “That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The purpose of shining the light is not to be seen, but to enable others to see and glorify our heavenly Father. It’s never about us. It’s always about Him!
A boy was visiting one of the great cathedrals of Europe with his family. He saw the massive stained glass windows with figures of the saints and how the sunlight shone through the glass casting beautiful colors on the cathedral walls and floors.
When he got home he told his friends about his trip and the cathedral with the stained glass windows with the figures of the saints. When asked by a friend, “What is a saint?” the boy thought for a moment then said, “A saint is a person the light shines through.”
Never underestimate the power of shining your light. Never overlook the significance of a good work done in Jesus’ name no matter how simple it may seem. Be a person the light shines through so others may see and be drawn, and God can be glorified.
Pastor Todd Weston
