From Dan's Desk

The following is borrowed from an article in the Walnut church of Christ bulletin in Texarkana, TX.
 
Brethren, what are we to do, to be as Christians?  Jesus plainly told His disciples and us today exactly what we are to do in Matthew 5:16 where He said, “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.”  So, how do we do this, how do we truly let our lights shine as Jesus would have us to?  Here are some suggestions as to how we can do this.
 
Shine brilliantly to light the way.  Someone shared the light with us, now we must shine that light to others in every way possible. That means bringing others to Christ because He is the Light of the world (John 8:12).  Others cannot see His light if we don’t shine it brightly in every way possible.
 
Shine in righteousness.  We will not reflect the light of Christ if we continue to live in, practice sin, in our own lives.  Jesus said in Matthew 13:43, “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”  To be “righteous” means to be right with God.  It means choosing to do right instead of wrong.  One chooses to do what is right regardless of the cost or dangers involved.  “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).  What kind of a picture are we giving the world around us of Christianity if we proclaim righteousness but continue to do wrong ourselves?  Sadly, this is what a lot of people are seeing in those who claim to be Christians.  We must shine in righteousness.  We must insure that the world sees us doing everything within our power to do what is right!
 
Shine by your good works.  Back to Matthew 5:16 again where Jesus said, 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.” Notice, see our good works and praise - not us, but our Heavenly Father.  Good works, in and of themselves, do not make us children of light.  Good works are the result of being children of light.  Good works are the overflow of God’s goodness in our lives.  In other words, the result of being children of light.  “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).” (Ephesians 5:8-9).
 
Shine the Light of Jesus’ love.  We must show the love of Christ for all men in our own lives.  We don’t love their sin but we do love their souls and want them to see the love of God, the love of Christ for them and their souls in us by the way we care for them.
 
Until next week, I love you all,
                   Dan