Let your Light Shine

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, NIV)

I used to read this verse and tremble. I trembled because I was nobody’s example of godly living. I trembled because talking to others about Jesus did not come naturally to me. I trembled because I linked this verse with others like the ones about denying Christ and being ashamed of Him.

These days I’m reading it more carefully and I find it notable that the operative word here is “let.”

Let your light shine.
As in, “don’t prevent or forbid;” allow.

Holy Spirit lives in me and He is the dynamo energizing every good and godly thing I do. He is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

I am to allow Him to express His nature, His character, in and through me. His nature is Love. The characteristics He exhibits in and through me include things such as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Exhibiting these things is His job.
My job is simply to let Him be who He is in me.

I’m simply not to prevent Him beaming out of me as I merrily go about my days assuming He is expert at His job.

Now that’s an easy yoke. That’s a light burden. And that’s the way of grace.

Grace and peace to you.
Larry