Memorise:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Read: Matthew 5:14-16
5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Message
Just as “Arise” from yesterday’s Bible reading is a command, ”Shine” in
today’s passage is also a command. The command to shine is a call to
you to show the light inside you. This implies that you should show
forth your good works and show the world that you belong to God. Action
they say speaks louder than voice. Jesus Himself said by their fruits ye
shall know them (Matthew 7:20). It can also mean to roll back or resist
darkness. In the natural world, when light shines where there has been
darkness, the darkness recedes. Therefore you as a child of God are to
kick out the devil; kick him out of your family, out of your workplace
and out of your community (Mark 16:17). Sicknesses, failure, demonic
oppression, bondage and sorrow are all manifestations of darkness. It is
your duty to kick them out.
The command to “shine” could also
mean, “Show your potential”. We as children of God are destined for
greatness (Ephesians 1:18-23). It also means that you should use your
talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We all have certain talents given to us by
our Master that we should put to use and make gains for Him with. We
should be wise and not behave like that wicked and slothful servant, who
went to hide his Master’s talent in the ground. Of course, you know
that the end of that servant was terrible; he was cast out into the
outer darkness after the one talent he refused to use had been given to
the servant who made use of his own five and gained five more. May you
not end the way this wicked servant ended in Jesus’ Name.
To
shine can also mean “Do exploits” (Daniel 11:32). Exploits means “Great
things”. To shine also means to excel, to be above all others, just like
Daniel and his friends excelled above all the wise men of
Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:17-20). To shine can also mean to generate or
produce light. This further means that, Jesus, being the Light of the
world, is reproducing His light in us (John 9:5). There is no way you
will generate light without producing heat. This is what makes the
difference between the sun and the moon. The sun generates light on its
surface and its heat is felt on earth, though it is 93 million miles
away. The moon however does not generate light, it only reflects the
light from the sun, and hence we do not feel any heat from it, though it
is only about 239,000 miles away. This indicates that as you generate
light, the heat of persecution is bound to come along. You do not need
to be frightened or scared; you just need to be prepared for it.
Action Point:
Pray that God will help you to shine more brightly.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 15:17-17:23 and PROVERBS 23:29-24:7
AUTHOR : Pastor E.A. ADEBOYE
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