Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 AMP
The Context and Focus:
This is also part of the sermon of Jesus on the mountain, and as it has been consistently pointed out, the audience matters. The words of Jesus here are addressed to disciples, not just followers. It is important to also clarify this. There is the crowd, the mass of people who go where there is noise. As long as there is something to be felt, seen or heard, you find the crowd there, but that is not enough. The crowd has no commitment; they are in it for what thrills they can get out of it. Then you have those who have now felt, seen and heard, and know that they need a new direction for their lives. They decide to totally surrender their lives to Jesus, and these are the ones who bear the light of Jesus wherever they go. If you have Jesus in you, you have the Light of God, because Jesus is the Light. It is impossible for a man to be totally surrendered to Jesus, and still be controlled by darkness. This is a decision that all of us must take at some point in our lives. Have you?
The Message:
It is before men that the witness of my person and identity must be made. If I am indeed a child of God, men must be able to see a difference between my old and new life. The earth is the platform for the manifestation of the presence of God in me. This is why a man is not raptured and sent to heaven as soon as he is saved, because there are examples that have to be placed on earth to serve as witnesses to the power of God. This is the power and quality of light, that no matter how tiny the ray, you cannot deny its presence. No matter how deep the darkness is, even the tiniest sliver of light will make the difference. Can men see anything that points them to the saving knowledge of Jesus in my life? Do my life's choices challenge them to seek God out for themselves too? Or am I content to blend in with the crowd, afraid of standing alone or standing out? Am I the ultimate shape-shifter, able to blend into any and every situation, unable to hold a position long enough for anyone to know what my principles are?
The Conclusion:
The reason why men must testify to the work of God inside of me, is that these same men will then have reasons to glorify God. God has left me as a witness down here on earth, and as I live for Him, men will be challenged due to their own sinful lifestyles being at variance with my own priorities. If they don't see any difference, there is nothing to look up to. If nothing challenges my current pursuits, there is no motivation to seek others. God is in heaven, but he is also everywhere, and he fills all things in all ways. He deserves all the praise men can give him, and he thrives on showing Himself mighty in the lives of all who are fully committed to Him. Light cannot be hidden, and all who bear it must prepare to be noticed, and mostly battered and persecuted. Men who thrive in darkness will also fight the light, so it is good to consider all that is at stake, so I can take the right decision. If I stay with God, He will definitely back me up. Give it time; whatever is in me will definitely flow out of me. By God's grace, it will be the right thing. God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment