Jump Start # 3836
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”
I was in the drug store the other day picking up some medicine. Another person was ahead of me. We were both waiting for the pharmacy to open that day. As we were waiting, we engaged in some small chit-chat. The other person was wearing a ball cap and was picking up medicine for the wife. The voice was rough, like a smoker, and the language crude. But as we talked, I couldn’t tell if I was talking to a man or a woman. The pharmacy opened and the other person went first. The medicine wasn’t ready so some choice words were uttered to the person at the counter. I kept wondering, is this a woman or is this a man? By looks and even the tone of the voice, I couldn’t tell. The person walked off in a huff. I walked up to the counter, smiled and hoped my kindness would be a better start to the day for the person waiting on us.
In our culture today, it is hard sometimes to tell if a person is male or female. Some are so busy trying to switch genders that it even gets more confusing. I couldn’t tell.
But, that led to a greater and more important thought for me. I wonder if people can tell that I am a Christian? Outside of the church building, not carrying a Bible, can people make the conclusion by my spirit, attitude, choice of words, kindness if I belong to Jesus? When I’m shopping, can they tell? When I’m at a restaurant, can they tell? Can the neighbors draw that conclusion?
Our passage today about light shining, points to the things that we do. It’s not the sermons that we preach. It’s not the walking into the church building that they notice. Rather, it is the good works that make our lights shine. These good works must be visible and seen by others. People don’t see your prayers. People don’t know your thoughts. It is the activity of the disciple that is noticed. And, for others to see these good works, they must be done where others are. What we do in the church building is only seen by us. What we do at home is only seen by our family. For others to glorify God, they must witness the good that we have done.
And, all of these leads to some important thoughts:
First, doing good for others may catch their attention long before what you believe does. Going out of you way to be the thoughtful and kind neighbor. Being the go to person at work who is a joy to be around. Thoughtful. Kind. Helpful. Praising others. In a selfish culture, this is noticed. Doing things that you do not have to do, but you want to, just to help someone else out, that’s noticed. And, that’s what our passage is pointing to. Light shining—it is something that is noticed.
There is an appeal and an attraction to Christianity. Peter talks about the hope that others ask about. A hope that is genuine and noticeable. They’ll want that hope. The first steps of evangelism may not be inviting to worship or even asking for a Bible study. The first steps may be nothing more than some good ole’ fashioned light shining—the doing of good works.
Second, our passage states, let your light shine in such a way. A porch light on at night attracts all kinds of bugs. That’s ok. It also allows those who are walking up the steps to see. There may be some who are not serious about life who hover around your good works. There may be some “bugs” that you have to deal with. But keep your light on—keep doing good works. There are those coming who need to see and it is your light that shows how a marriage ought to be shaped. There are those coming who need to see how to handle a crisis. There are those coming who watch how you handle the death of a loved one. Don’t turn your light off because of a few bugs. Others need to see.
Third, another aspect of that “in such a way,” is not to misuse your light. Give a flashlight to a four-year-old, and he’ll point that light right at your eyes. It’s funny to him, but it blinds you. Our good works need to point to God. The praise shouldn’t be pointed to us. We are only doing what Jesus did. We are only doing what we ought to do. Helping others. Doing good to all. Having listening ears. Being a friend. These things need to point to God. It is God who has molded our hearts and shaped us.
Let your light shine…this is just one way that people know that you follow the Lord. Can people tell that you are a Christian?
Roger