Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Matthew 5:16
Flip the Switch
Many times we are hesitant to let our light shine before others, so how do we “flip the switch?” Wait till someone’s in the room and turn on, and go over to them and listen to them, ask them about their lives, and ask them how it is going. When we give others attention, we suddenly discover we have their attention, and then we have a platform in which to share the gospel.
Walk in His Appointed Works
What do I mean by saying, “Walk in His works?” You know we aren’t saved by works (Eph 2:8) but we are saved to do works. That’s what the Apostle Paul says right after saying we’re not saved by works. He writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). God saves us without works, but we should be doing works because we are saved. If only we will “walk in them.” That’s a personal choice.
Enter the Darkness
I certainly don’t mean we are to enter the works of the darkness, but fishers of men and women must go where the fish are at. We enter the darkness to bring people into the light, even while avoiding the works of darkness. We are not of the world, but we have to live in the world, and we have to leave our church world to seek and to save the lost. Of course, we don’t save anyone because it is their response to God’s ability, but it is our responsibility to tell them.
Deflect the Credit
Jesus told His listeners to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16) but you must do these good works before they can glorify God. For one thing, we must do this for God’s glory because God declares, “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8). If we don’t give God the glory for everything good we do, we are robbing Him of His due glory and taking it to ourselves. That’s the very reason Jesus said to “give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Conclusion
If we are to let our light shine before others, we must flip the switch and let others into our lives and give them the gifts of our time and attention; we must walk in the works that God has opened doors for us; we should enter the darkness to bring others to the light; and by all means, we must give God the glory, for we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5).
