# 08 2016 Devotional Matt. 5:16 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matt. 5 is part of the Sermon on the Mount Matt 5-7. Verse 16 comes right after the Beatitudes and is part of the section called:”Salt and Light”. The Beatitudes are a great introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, they are eight blessings proclaimed by Jesus with eight promises that begin on earth but end in heaven. They are short, concise statements that contain main Biblical themes that reflect not only the message of Jesus but also the way for following Him: the way of salvation and for peace on this earth.
The very first section after the Beatitudes sets us on the path. There are good reasons for God to call us to follow Jesus by the power of His Spirit. Salt is a staple some people would say an essential ingredient in our food. But salt only works if it flavors, when it does not accomplish that purpose it is useless. This metaphor is the negative side of this section and points to our reluctance or our refusal to perform the call of God on our lives.
The positive metaphor of this section is to light up a room. If one lights a lamp it is put up on a stand to give light to everyone. Verse 16 encourages us to be a light in this world. Let your works , let your way of life be a light to the world so that God is glorified. How do we do that today?
We need to look to Gal. 5:22. Life by the Spirit involves “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. This fruit of the Spirit as it is called stands in direct opposition to the way of the world. Our society calls followers of Jesus to compromise, put a little balance in our way of living. According to that position it is unloving, not enfolding, a one sided dialogue and a unbending position in a world that calls for flexibility and compromise. Not so! Jesus in this verse says, “let your light shine, the brighter the better, the longer the more effective. He is the Light of the world sent not to condemn but to save the world. Jesus followers are to be that light powered by a life in the Spirit. Jesus says: Shine on! Light up the dark places in this world! I am with you!
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