Week 22 - Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

To get a better understanding of this verse, I want to back up a little bit to the preceding verses, starting with Matthew 5:14.

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither 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.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

NIV Life Application Study Bible footnotes:

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill?  Its light at night can be seen for miles.  If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.  We hide our light by 

1. being quiet when we should speak, 

2. going along with the crowd, 

3. denying the light, 

4. letting sin dim our light, 

5. not explaining our light to others, or 

6. ignoring the needs of others.  

Be a beacon of truth -- don't shut your light off from the rest of the world.

What a timely verse!  As you enter into the Christmas season, purpose to shine your light so that God may be glorified!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can post a Christmas song :)  This is ONE of my many favorites but I thought it was a great one to start out with -- A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING!