Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) 14You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
There are many definitions for the word shine; however, my favorite has to do with being bright because of reflected light. This speaks to the heart of our scripture passage today. As Jesus gathered his disciples and began to teach them, he told them they would be a light for the world to see. They would be out in the open, not hidden, and it would be their lives reflecting the glory of God to others. In fact, if you read closely, you discover Jesus’ instructions were to shine in such a way that others would see their good deeds—and glorify your Father in heaven.
Lighthouses along the coast were not built for ornamentation. They have a purpose and a function. So do I, so do you, so do all Christians. We have a purpose and a function to reflect the light of Christ in a world full of darkness and despair. But here is the interesting detail. Our radiance is not to be an effort on our part to be noticed in and of ourselves or for others to notice us; but rather, that others might notice Christ through what we say and do.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
You are the true light. Each day may our purpose be to a reflection of You to a lost and dying world. May others see Your love reflected in our lives, for the ultimate purpose of bringing praise to You.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Reflected Light was originally written for Thursday, August 11, 2016; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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