A Study of the commands from our Lord, Jesus the Christ

Week 31, June 27th

This week's Tour Stop is the command: "Let Your Light Shine". The command is found in the passage Matthew 5:16 (NASB).

"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."

After posting last week tour stop, the Holy Spirit reminded of a couple of things that I need to share.

First, thank you to all the people that wrote back to me with encouraging words.
Second, if I confess my sin, Jesus is faithful and will forgive me (see 1 John 1:9 (NASB)).
Third, Jesus who started the good work in me when I became a disciple WILL see it to completion (see Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
Lastly, which brings us to this week's tour stop, Jesus has defined me, a disciple of his, "as the light of the world" (see Matthew 5:14 (NASB)).

And because I am "the light of the world", I am commanded by my LORD to let that light shine in such a way that men will see my actions and glorify the Father.

How am I to do the good works that the LORD has prepared me to accomplish (see Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)) in "such a way" that people watching me perform those good works will glorify the LORD?

Remember the Bible is all about context. The Greek word Jesus used for the English phrase "in such a way" is "houtō(s)". Strong's defines G3779 as: "in this manner, thus, so" referring to what precedes or follows.

What preceded this command? What did Jesus say? Read Matthew 5:3-12 (NASB) known as the Beatitudes. Another way to remember the Beatitudes is to think "BE attitudes". Demonstrate those attitudes or live those attitudes and let the world see:
- Gentleness, verse 5
- Ardent desire for Righteousness, verse 6
- Mercifulness, verse 7
- Pure in Heart (without deceit), verse 8
- Peacemaker, verse 9
- Joyful, verse 12

What did Jesus say after this command? Start reading Matthew 6 (NASB).
Here are a few examples:
- Practicing righteousness to be noticed by men (Matthew 6:1)
- Saying long prayers to be noticed by men (Matthew 6:5)
- Fasting to be noticed by men (Matthew 6:16)
- Building earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19)
- Worrying (Matthew 6:27)

Here is my observation. Before the command, Jesus describes how blessed we are when we are gentle, merciful, pure in heart, and seeking righteousness for the Lord's sake. After the command, Jesus warns us about performing similar acts to garner the favor of men.

The take away?

We are to BE "light"; an example for the people around you. Live the chapter 5 examples and not the chapter 6 examples.

Yes, you will stumble

BUT

you are called to be persistent, to fight the good fight, to finish the race, and to keep the faith (see 2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)). Our goal is, and always should be, to one day stand before the LORD and hear those comforting words: "Well done, my good and faithful servant..." (see Matthew 25:21 (NIV)).

AMEN.

If you have any other questions for me please send me an email

If this link does not work for you my email address is 'burtonmark@cox.net' with the subject line of 'Week 31'. I would love to hear from you.

The tour will continue next week but I am not at all sure which of the commands of our LORD I will be sharing.

Return to:
"and teaching them to obey... Main"

"Weekly Entries - Table of Contents"

"Top of Page"