Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
As Christians who are following Jesus we are the only light in the world. The rest of the world is walking in spiritual darkness, and the word says "that they don't even know what is making them stumble." You know that you can see a city up on the top of a hill for miles around it. Especially, at night when it is all lit up. We are supposed to be seen all around our sphere of influence with the light of Christ shining through us. When we as Christians are following Christ we should be so full of the Holy Spirit that we stand out like that city on a hill. When God's love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control (Galatian's 5:22) are flowing through our lives they ought to be able to see us coming from a mile away. And it is going to either attract or repel them.
Of course, the rest is not up to us, Jesus just says "shine" and the rest of the work will have to be the Spirit's doing.
When Jesus said to let your light shine before men He was talking about good works. He was talking about living an open, sincere, authentic life before all the world to see. Walking in righteousness, holiness, and love with everyone we come across. Reaching out to whoever needs a friend, a need met, a loving hand, or a listening ear. If we will just keep our spiritual ears and eyes open we will hear someone walking in darkness stumble and hit their toe on something that they could not see, but we see clearly. And as they observe us over time, they will notice these kingdom qualities in our lives, and they will glorify our Father who is in heaven and ask us for the reason of the hope that is within us and is so obviously a powerful part of our own blessed lives.
We can't love Jesus without our hearts. I hope and pray that you are not trying to follow a bunch of rules and regulations that you have gotten out of the Bible. That simply will not do. That is called "religion" and Christianity is NOT a religion. Christianity is a relationship with a real Person in a real way. If the commands of Christ have become burdensome in your life it is because you have lost your first Love. Jesus said, "those who love Me will keep my commands." When I love Him first, His commands come easy to me. When I love Him first, He will be with me and strengthen me. When I love Him first, His life and love will flow through me like a bright and shining light for all to see.
Be blessed this week as you love Jesus and let your light shine for His glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment