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1997-09-05 - This Little Light of Mine ...
I hope many of you remember that song. It is simple, but it is poignant.
I keep running into the passage about not hiding our lamps under a lampstand,
so I figure God is trying to tell me something.
Mat 5:14-16 (NRSV) "You are the light of the world. A city built on a
hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel
basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see
your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
As Christ pointed out, our good works -- while not the means by which we
are saved (Eph. 2:8-9) -- do bring glory to our Heavenly Father, as should
all we do.
1 Cor 10:31 (NRSV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you do, do everything for the glory of God.
However, the things we do will not glorify Him unless people know why
we are doing them. Otherwise they will give us the credit. I myself have
been guilty too often, of doing things in front of unbelievers, i.e. helping
someone with something -- but not bringing Christ into it -- so how can people
know the reason I do it? We need to be sure that when people see a difference
in us -- and they should see one! -- whether it's at work, school, in the
supermarket or wherever, that they know that the reason we are different,
is our relationship with God.
Dear Lord, may our lives bring glory to You. Help us to find ways to bring
your name into it when people praise our good works, so that YOU get the
glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jan
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