Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:16 (HCSB)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Today’s Question: What is the evidence that you are a follower of Jesus Christ?
Today’s Commentary:
“Hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna’ let it shine” was a line from a children’s song I learned as a kid. This was from the ever-popular tune, “This Little Light of Mine.” As simple as the lyrics appear, a grand truth is revealed: Christians are not to live “undercover” or move about incognito in this world. We are made to “shine,” to stick out in a positive way.
In the area of the country in which I reside, hunting big game is popular. When the temperatures begin to drop in the fall, men and women dress up from head to toe in green and brown camouflage and head into the woods. This makes them virtually undetectable in the dense forest foliage of the Deep South. Yet, there is one safety device that must be worn—a bright orange vest.
One could see this vest from nine miles away. The purpose is simple –to keep another hunter from shooting at you, thinking that you may be their trophy buck moving stealthily through the woods. When a person sees the orange blaze, he or she knows unequivocally what is there.
The proverbial “orange vest” of the Christian must be his or her good works. It is important to note that I cannot do any good works apart from Christ working through me. Therefore, anything I do must be done in submission to Him.
Upon first reading this verse, one may assume that the “good works” are moral, righteous deeds performed by the believer in Christ. While we are definitely called to live morally, this is not the word (agathos) that is used in the passage. Jesus selected a different word—kalos. This word means something that is beautiful and pleasing to the eye, or attractive. Like a beautiful flower in full bloom may catch the attention of passers-by, a follower of Christ who is yielding to His will may be noticed as being different. They will stand out in a crowd like a person who is wearing blaze orange in a forest of green and brown.
In his book, Christians in the Marketplace, Bill Hybels says that people outside the faith often say, “Show me” before they say, “Tell me.” To illustrate this point, Joanie Yoder tells this story: “I knew a young man in Germany named Wolfgang who modeled Hybels’ principle at a building site where he worked. As an enthusiastic believer, Wolfgang always read his Bible during lunch. Though his fellow workers jeered, he didn’t stop his daily reading. He simply prayed for a way to demonstrate Christ’s love to them. When the workers went home at night, they always left their muddy boots behind. Wolfgang began staying late after work to clean their boots. The men were puzzled at first but then realized that Wolfgang was the only one among them who would perform this humble service. Not only did they come to respect him, but sometimes they even asked him to read the Bible to them. Only eternity will reveal the full effect of Wolfgang’s shining life. But this we know: When his co-workers saw his good works, they started listening to his God.”
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #13: Followers of Christ should seek to live in such a manner that others are drawn to the glory of God.
Today’s Prayer Point: Ask God to increase your witness for Him today. He can reveal to you any barriers that keep you from shining brightly in the darkness. He can remove sin that is hiding your light. Ask God to bring glory to Himself through your life.
Shepherding Well 