Shine your light before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)

What does it look like for Jesus to shine through us?

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Introduction:

Imagine you’re holding a small candle in a dark room. That tiny flame makes a big difference, right? Now, think of yourself as that candle in the world. Jesus asked us to be like this—to let our light shine so others can see the goodness of God through us. But what does it really mean to let Jesus shine through us, especially when life doesn’t go as planned?

Understanding Our Purpose:

We often have plans and dreams about how our lives should unfold. When things don’t go our way, we feel frustrated or disappointed. But as followers of Jesus, our purpose isn’t just to see our plans come true; it’s to see God’s plans fulfilled in our lives. This can be challenging because our natural desires often clash with God’s plans. Think of it like trying to drive a car with the brakes on. Our flesh wants to go one way, but God has a better direction for us.

We are called to be the light of the world, like little mirrors reflecting Jesus Christ. Just as a mirror reflects light, we are to reflect His image in this world. As the world grows darker, we’re supposed to get brighter, not just be a brighter shade of darkness. We should stand out as beacons of hope and love, seamlessly blending His light into our lives.

Living with Purpose:

To live with purpose means understanding that we are here to glorify God. Every action, every word, and every thought should reflect His love and grace. This might seem daunting, but it’s a journey we are all on together. When we understand our purpose, we start to see the bigger picture—our lives are part of God’s grand design.

Living with purpose also means making intentional choices every day that reflect our commitment to Christ. This could be as simple as starting your day with a prayer, being kind to someone in need, or standing up for what is right even when it’s difficult. Each of these actions, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture of living out our faith.

Jesus as the Light:

Jesus is the ultimate light in the world. People recognized the light within Him because He went about doing good and healing all who were sick. As it says in Acts 10:38, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Jesus’ fame spread throughout Samaria because of the good He did and the miracles He performed. His life was a testament to the power of God’s light shining through Him.

Making a Difference:

In practical terms, letting our light shine can be as simple as showing kindness to a stranger, forgiving someone who has wronged us, or helping those in need. These acts of love and service are powerful ways to reflect Jesus to those around us. Remember, even small actions can have a big impact. Just as a tiny candle lights up a dark room, our small acts of kindness can illuminate the lives of others.

Consider the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This parable teaches us about loving our neighbor and showing mercy. The Samaritan helped a wounded man while others passed by. This act of kindness is a perfect example of letting our light shine. We too can be Good Samaritans in our daily lives, offering help and compassion to those in need.

Overcoming Challenges:

Life is full of challenges and obstacles that can dim our light if we let them. But it’s during these times that our faith can shine the brightest. When we face difficulties with grace and trust in God, we set an example for others to follow. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This strength allows us to overcome challenges and continue to shine brightly.

One way to overcome challenges is by maintaining a strong connection with God through prayer and reading the Bible. When we stay rooted in His word, we gain the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life’s hurdles. Additionally, surrounding ourselves with a supportive community of believers can provide encouragement and accountability.

Faith and Deeds:

James 2:18 says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” Our good deeds are a reflection of our faith. It’s important to understand that we are not earning our salvation through our good works. Our salvation was freely given through Jesus Christ. Doing good is not about trying to earn God’s favor; it’s about living out the nature of Christ that is within us. Because we are transformed by His love, we naturally want to do good and reflect His light.

Spreading Hope and Love:

Our world is often filled with negativity and despair, but as Christians, we are called to spread hope and love. By living out our faith openly and authentically, we can inspire others and offer them a glimpse of God’s love. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Spreading hope and love can be as simple as listening to someone’s problems without judgment, offering a word of encouragement, or volunteering your time to help those less fortunate. These actions not only brighten someone else’s day but also strengthen our own faith and resolve.

Conclusion:

Our mission on earth isn’t to fulfill our own plans but to reflect Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Think of yourself as that candle in a dark room—your light makes a difference. By understanding our purpose, showing sacrificial love, living beyond self, and spreading hope, we can let our light shine brightly, even when it’s tough.

Call to Action:

Take a moment to reflect on your daily life. Where can you shine your light brighter? How can you show love and humility today? Trust God’s direction for your life, even when it’s hard. Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Stay tuned for our next blog in this series: “Shining Through Sacrificial Love,” where we dive deeper into how Jesus’ example of love and humility can guide our daily actions.

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—Josh Mullins—