based on the LGG Study, Abiding in Jesus/w1d4
Read and SOAP: matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Okay, friends, just as we did in our previous day’s journey, we need to look back at the verses that came before this one. Why? Because we need to understand what the phrase “in the same way” refers to. This is a very familiar verse to most who have been in church for any amount of time, however, while we know that we are supposed to be lights for Jesus so that God is glorified, do we understand how/what way we are supposed to let it shine? Also, do we understand that the light serves a specific purpose?
Let’s break it down ….
- In the same way (this begs us to ask and answer the question: What way?
- to find the answer, we must look back at what Jesus had just said to the disciples
- “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (verses 14 & 15)
- in verses 14 and 15, “we see believers depicted as the light of the world. Just as the moon has no light of its own, reflecting the light of the sun, so are believers to reflect the Light of Christ so that all can see it in us. The Light is evident to others by the good deeds we do in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (gotquestions.org)
- “The emphasis here is maintaining a credible and obvious witness in the world, a witness that shows us to be faithful, God-honoring, trustworthy, sincere, earnest, and honest in all that we do.” (gotquestions.org)
- “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (verses 14 & 15)
- to find the answer, we must look back at what Jesus had just said to the disciples
- Let your light shine
- this is a personal mission for followers of Jesus
- before people
- there is a collective target
- so that they can see your good deeds
- there is a specific reason and
- and a targeted outcome
- God receives honor in Heaven
The More We Know
We should always be ready to give an account of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), for the gospel Light we have is not to be covered, but made obvious for all to see and benefit from, that they, too, may leave the darkness and come into the Light.
Gotquestions.org
Me From the Inside Out 