Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
There are many good works done every day. Charitable organizations, volunteers, and many there is not room to mention them all. When God looks down at all that is being done what is He looking for? He is looking to see if what is being done is being done to give Him glory. If it is not then God is not interested. But “good works” is not what God is interested in. God is very interested in and concerned about what glorifies God.
Jesus had just finished the sermon on the mount and as He did he gave a very simple illustration of what a Christian should be doing. Jesus is reminding everyone that He is not satisfied to simply command charitable acts, random acts of kindness, or the many other good works that all the world hails. His idea is very simple. Let your light shine in such a way that what ever you do will reflect on the Father in heaven and not on you.
When you have the opportunity to do a good deed, to help someone in need are people encouraged to give you the credit? Slap you on the back and tell you what a great job you did? Or do your actions point to Christ as the source and motivation for what you do? It is easy for our ego, pride and our people pleasing nature to take even our best Christian efforts and turn them into an occasion for self glory.
If you study how Jesus lived and taught you will quickly notice He never pointed to himself, he always pointed to the Father. He wanted to make sure the credit was placed where it rightly belonged; that being in a way that gave glory to God the Father. If the Son of God himself would deny himself to receive the acclaim of men for his good works, how much more should our lives be mirrors that reflect the glorious goodness and grace of our God?
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