“LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
This verse provides the practical application of Jesus’ teaching about being “the light of the world.” Disciples display the light of Jesus by DOING the GOOD WORKS which GOD INTENDS FOR THEM. Even if acting in a Christlike way earns persecution from the world, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12), believers are meant to SHINE THAT LIGHT INTO A DARK WORLD.
In other lessons, Jesus expands on the meaning of doing good works. An important point He makes later in the Sermon on the Mount involves proper motivation, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. GIVE YOUR GIFTS IN PRIVATE, and your Father, who sees everything, WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY” (Matthew 6:1-4).
Do your good works FOR GOD’S SAKE, in ways that bring GLORY TO HIM.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham