Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What did Jesus mean by "Let your light shine"? Matthew 5:16

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus meant that His followers should live such visibly good, Christ-like lives through their actions, kindness, and righteousness that others see these good deeds and are led to praise God, not themselves. It's about reflecting Jesus's light (truth and hope) in a dark world, demonstrating faith through actions, and ultimately pointing people to God, rather than hiding one's faith or seeking personal glory. 

1: Good Works: The "light" is expressed through "good works"—acts of compassion, love, integrity, and righteousness that stem from a transformed life in Christ.

2: Visibility: The light must be seen by others ("before men"), like a city on a hill or a lamp on a stand, so it isn't hidden or ineffective.

3: Purpose: The ultimate goal isn't self-promotion but to glorify God the Father, drawing people to Him by showing His character through your life.

4: Contrast: This shines in contrast to the world's darkness, offering hope, guidance, and a different way of living, even if it makes believers seem different or strange to some. 

5: Visibility of Faith: A light is inherently meant to be seen. The imagery of a "city on a hill" or a "lamp on a stand" emphasises that faith and Christian living should not be hidden or kept private [2, 5]. Believers are meant to be a beacon in the world, just like a beacon for ships in the sea on a very stormy night.

In practice, Christians must show the following:

1: Offering hope and kindness in a hateful world.

2: Being patient, compassionate, and encouraging.

3: Living by God's moral code, even when it's unpopular.

4: Being a tangible example of faith for family and future generations. 

5: Evangelism and Witness: By living righteously, Christians attract others to God. The purpose isn't self-glorification, but rather that others will "give glory to your Father who is in heaven" The light acts as a guide, helping people find their way to God.

Jesus said, "Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." ESV

The servant of God should appreciate the reason for which he is given the light, and he should realise that it would be utterly foolish and disastrous for him to refuse to let it shine from him as from a lamp.

We should treat people in the best possible way when helping them receive spiritual light from God. (Ps. 43:3)

Today, we let our light shine by doing good to our neighbours and by sharing in the work of preaching the good news "in all the world," that is, "in all the nations." (Matt. 26:13; Mark 13:10) What a privilege we enjoy by letting our light shine.

Jesus did not want his disciples to keep secret their identity as members of a so-called religious sect. (Acts 24:14; 28:22) Failing to let our light shine today would be displeasing both to Christ and to his Father.

For others to give glory to God because of what Christians do, it is obvious that we must be active witnesses to the world, and this can only be done by what Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 -let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." ESV

8 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

One needs, first, to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things shall be added unto you, for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. For you then will discern and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for your light then shall shine before men. One who is then led to the kingdom of God and in His righteousness, nothing shall be done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness of heart. For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure, for then you shall shine as lights in the world. Those who see your good works should be aware not to glorify you, but give praise to God the Father in heaven, who has revealed unto you in the right Spirit of discernment. (Mat 6:33/Philp 2:3,12-15)

One who is then led to have a “blessed llfe,” as revealed by our Lord Jesus, needs to discern and not break the coals of fire. For you are the salt of the earth, having the savour, and the light of the world that cannot be hidden. Whosoever therefore breaketh one of these least commandments and teaches men shall be the least in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever doeth and teacheth shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. The blessed life given to one needs to do the commandments, if thy enemy be hungry give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty give him water to drink. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head and the Lord shall reward thee. For it is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in the wide house. (Mat 5:19/Prov 25:21-24) 

For then when men see your good works, they receive the seed into the good ground, for they heareth the word and understand it. For he shall bear fruit and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Heaping the coals of fire today in the right wisdom of God, one needs to discern the seed that is sown in thy field. For at times the enemy comes and sows tares in thy field, if you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, for the Lord God then shall send at the time of the harvest, to first the tares to bind them in bundles to burn them, and to gather the wheat into His barn. It is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. For thus being sober-minded, shewing thyself in good works by revealing the word, with sound speech that cannot be condemned, no one shall have evil things to say of you. (Dan 12:2/Mat 13:23,25-30/1 Pet 2:15/Titus 2:8) 

Titus 3:4-5: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report