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Give the light

On January 24, 2021 by

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16
We are the Light of the World

These words of Jesus are pretty well-known in the Christian faith. We are the light of the world. We should shine bright in the darkness. We should live to glorify God in all we do. Yet, sometimes it is easier to keep to ourselves, live within our sphere of family and friends, and not get involved in other people’s needs and activities. We can find ourselves so engrossed in our own lives and agenda that we neglect to give outside of ourselves because of the extra effort it may take. We are already busy. How can we afford to fit in something else?

Jesus commands us to shine.

While many of us live constantly on the go and have full calendars, the truth of the matter is that Jesus commanded us to shine in the darkness. This isn’t a suggestion. But how do we shine in the darkness if we stay to ourselves and in our own circle of busyness all of the time? How are we shining if we stay within four walls on Sunday and never get outside to minister to a world of hurting people?

Look at Jesus. He had a circle of disciples around him constantly; yet, he also went out with them and ministered to the lost, the hurting, and the dying. It is important to have a support system as Jesus did. Your family and local church is a great place to start. But we can’t stop there. It is equally as important to carry that light and share the love of God in your day to day life–first at home, then your next door neighbor, at work, to the beggar on the corner, etc…–and shine for the world to see.

We shine by doing.

As Jesus’ words remind us: we shine by doing good things for God and others. Now, good works can’t save anyone. They are a fruit of the life of faith that God has planned for believers. Yet, good works are also necessary in that they are beneficial to us, as well as to those who are blessed by our giving. If we are ever getting and never giving back, we become guilty of hoarding the truth for ourselves. Others need to see Christ through the gifts he has given us. What gifts has he given you that you haven’t shared? Perhaps, you can help an elderly neighbor; maybe it is playing guitar for your church worship team or teaching a Sunday school class; maybe it is a warm dinner and clean clothes for someone in need.

What good is it to claim we have faith, yet when we see a need, we do nothing about it, when it is in our power to help? We are given countless opportunities throughout our lives to give what we have–whether it be time, money, our talents or gifts, to serve God and others; yet sometimes, we would rather someone else step up and do it. We even pray to that end. “Lord, send someone to help that person…” Why do we hold back?

Faith and works go hand in hand.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed, and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to him, “Go in peace, be warm and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:15-17

It is not enough to merely wish good things for people in need, or even to pray, “Lord, help them” when it is in our power to do something about it. Proverbs 3:27 (NLT) says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” Sometimes, (even unbeknownst to us), God will set us up in places that need our gifts. Often, He will direct needy people into our path so that we can be his hands and feet and shine the light and love of Christ to them. The wonderful thing about giving is that it is not only a blessing to the receiver, but also an opportunity for us to grow.

Growth is in the giving.

Do you know that we grow in our faith every time we step out and do good things for others and for God? Imagine that growth in our lives if we gave of our time regularly to help someone, or volunteered our talents for a church or organization that could benefit from what we have to give. Or, if we know someone is financially in need, what if we gave freely to help them? These things are not only profitable to those whom we serve, but also profitable to our growth as believers.

Eventually, this should become such a part of who we are that we don’t have to think twice about it. We won’t have to wonder if we should give to the person begging on the street. We won’t hesitate when someone asks if we can help. The more time we spend with the source of our light, the more it will spill out of us without even trying.

We reflect the light of Jesus.

Back to Jesus’ words. “YOU are the light of the world.” We do not produce our own light, but we reflect the light of Jesus. Therefore, we should let nothing stand between us and God. Because, as we behold the glory of the Lord through time spent with him in prayer, in worship, and in the Word, we are continually being transformed into his image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. God gives us the desire to do these things and He also helps us to actually DO them. Isn’t that a wonderful thought! God is the one who completes this task through us. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. We can do nothing of worth apart from Him.

Prayer: Father, help me to shine the light of Jesus in everything I do–at home first, but also in my community. Open my eyes to see the lost and hurting people you have placed in my path, even right here in my own neighborhood. Help me take time to help those in need, knowing that it is You who has called me to it and it is You who will also give me the strength and capacity to do what is needed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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