Let your light shine

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 Do you want to know how to not bring honor to God? Don’t do any good deeds. Now you might be asking, “but doesn’t God love me, and save me through grace, not by my works?” That is exactly true! God forgives us and transforms us. But our salvation isn’t just for our blessing and benefit, it is also so that we can glorify Him. Because of who He is and who we are it may seem strange that we can actually glorify God. He is the almighty creator of all things! But we can—with our thankfulness and praise, by constantly seeking to be in His company, and by doing good things for others. God is loving and compassionate, and as His children He expects us to be that way as well. Every time we do an act of kindness in the name of Jesus, big or small, we bring honor to Him. We are not trying to win His favor or work our way to heaven. Rather we are simply acting the way His children should act, showing others His amazing love and grace in our lives. We are becoming more like Jesus, living humbly and with compassion. God carried us out of darkness when we were helpless and could do nothing to save ourselves. His grace brought forgiveness. Now we are changed. The darkness that we lived in is gone, replaced by the light of His goodness and love. Show that to everyone—let that light shine!