Shine your light

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and 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 in heaven.”

This is a straightforward teaching that Jesus used to let us know that we, as Christians, are here to do the will of God and it is God’s will that we reach out to the community as members of his body on Earth. Whether as church, or as individuals performing acts of kindness or charity, we acknowledge that it is God’s will that we are following, not personal glory or recognition. Letting our light shine doesn’t mean that we say, “Look here, we’ve done this wonderful thing for the community, aren’t we a jolly good fellows.” We shine our light and display our good deeds for the glory of God alone. We are nothing without God, and we can do nothing without God, therefore all credit and honour goes to him when we act in accordance to his will. It is our Father’s light that shines through our good works and charitable acts. When we love and care, we show that God loves and cares. When we pray, we pray in God’s name, and it is the same with our good works. We do these things in the name of God who is the fountain of all goodness and love, and the source of all light. Let’s us praise is holy name in the good things that we do and in the example that we set to others, so that they may see his glory in the world.