Let Your Light Shine Before Men - Matthew 5:15-16

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OUR TEXT

Matthew 5:15-16 (New King James Version)

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

So many people these days like to try and hide their faith. They are so scared if they share Jesus in the workplace that they will be sacked. People are locked up in fear and a afraid to let their light shine.

It makes no sense to hide your lamp under a basket, just as it made no sense for the man that was given one talent in the parable of the talents to hide the talent in the dirt.

The church sadly has been taught that people are saved by faith and not by works. Time after time they preach that it is by the cross of Christ that saves a person and what you do for Jesus has no bearing on your eternal Salvation. And yet Jesus very clearly says that if you don't use your talents that he has given you, that you will be handed over to the torturers.

Jesus goes on to say that a person who has his/her light shining bright has many good works before the eyes of the unsaved and through the good works ( i.e obedience to Christ's commands) people are led to the Father.

Did you know what Jesus told his disciples four times between the last supper and the cross?

He said, "If you love me, obey my commands."

At the end of this Sermon of the Mount he says that you are a foolish builder who has built his house on the sand if you know what Jesus taught and you don't obey it.

Jesus says, Have no fear, act like a real Christian with all that you do in life.

We have all heard the cliche, "Action speaks louder than words!" Sadly too many Christians try and preach to a person before their actions have proven them to be a really differnet sort of person.

I interviewed a stranger who was not a Christian last night and ask if she had one message for the Christian church. Do you know what she said?

"If you want to talk the talk, make sure that you walk the walk!" She said that she had known many Christians that didn't walk the walk and who had preached to her and tried to save her. Yet her very best friend was a lovely born again Christian that walked the walk in her opinion and she does not try and save her.

Letting your light shine is obeying Jesus in all he said for us to obey him in.

Be blessed

Matthew Robert Payne

If you have enjoyed my article you can read the book "The parables of Jesus made simple" for free here in its entirety or just selected parables in chapters at http://www.parables-of-jesus-christ.net/ The book will be published in book form in January 2011