How can we "make our light shine"?

It has been said that when people are filled with the Holy Spirit, have a thriving relationship with God and / or try to follow Jesus Christ's example every day, there is a significant glow in them. There is a difference in their steps, personalities, service to others, and problem management.

How does this "glare" or difference change us and what should we do about it? The Bible has several scriptures to describe how people change from the inside out when they become Christian, but this verse, declared from the lips of Jesus himself, seems to embody exactly what we need to do with this inner change.

In Matthew 5:16, the verse states the following: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

While this verse may sound cryptic, it is actually quite self-explanatory. So let's unpack this verse further and see what Jesus tells us to do, and what changes will take place around us when we let our lights shine.

What does “Shine your light” mean?

The light, referred to at the beginning of Matthew 5:16, is the inner glow that we briefly discussed in the introduction. It's that positive change within you; that contentment; that inner tranquility (even when chaos is all around you) that you cannot contain with subtlety or oblivion.

Light is your understanding that God is your Father, Jesus is your Savior, and your path is carried forward by the loving involvement of the Holy Spirit. It is the awareness that what you were before you knew Jesus personally and accepted his sacrifice has nothing to do with who you are now. You treat yourself and others better, as you understand more and more that God loves you and will provide for all your needs.

This understanding becomes evident to us as the "light" within you, as the light of gratitude that Jesus has saved you and that you have hope in God to face whatever the day may bring. Problems that looked like scale mountains become more like conquerable hills when you know that God is your guide. So when you let your light shine, it is this overt awareness of who the Trinity is to you that becomes evident in your words, actions and thoughts.

Who is Jesus talking to here?
Jesus shares this incredible insight recorded in Matthew 5 with his disciples, which also includes the eight beatitudes. This conversation with the disciples came after Jesus healed a multitude throughout Galilee and was resting in peace from the crowds on a mountain.

Jesus tells his disciples that all believers are "the salt and the light of the world" (Matthew 5: 13-14) and that they are like a "city on a hill that cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). He continues the verse by saying that believers were to be like lamp lights which were not meant to be hidden under a basket, but placed on stands to light the way for all (Matt. 5:15).

What did the verse mean for those who listened to Jesus?

This verse was part of several words of wisdom that Jesus offered to His disciples, where it is later revealed, in Matthew 7: 28-29, that those who listened “were amazed at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. "

Jesus knew what was in store not only for his disciples but also for those who would later accept him because of his sacrifice on the cross. He knew that troubled times were coming and that in those times we had to be lights for others to survive and thrive.

In a world that is filled with darkness, believers must be the lights that shine through the darkness to lead people not only to salvation but to the arms of Jesus.

As Jesus experienced with the Sanhedrin, who eventually carved the path for him to be crucified on the cross, we believers will also fight against a world that will try to take away the light or claim that it is false and not of God.

Our lights are our purposes that God has established in our life, part of His plan to bring believers to His kingdom and eternity in heaven. When we accept these purposes - these calls into our life - our wicks are illuminated within and shine through us for others to see.

Has this verse been translated differently in other versions?

"Let your light shine before men who can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven," is Matthew 5:16 from the New King James Version, which is the same sentence that can be seen in the King James Version of la Bible.

Some translations of the verse have some subtle differences from the KJV / NKJV translations, such as New International Version (NIV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB).

Other translations, such as the amplified Bible, have redefined the "good works" mentioned in the verse to "good deeds and moral excellence" and that these actions glorify, acknowledge and honor God. The Bible's message elaborates even more on the verse and what we are asked, “Now that I have put you there on top of a hill, on a bright pedestal - shine! Keep the house open; be generous with your lives. By opening yourself up to others, you will push people to open up to God, this generous heavenly Father ”.

However, all the translations say the same feeling of shining your light through good works, so others see and recognize what God is doing through you.

How can we be a light to the world today?

Now more than ever, we are called to be lights for a world that struggles with physical and spiritual forces like never before. Especially as we currently face issues affecting our health, identity, finances and governance, our presence as lights for God is so important.

Some believe that great acts are what it means to be lights to Him. But sometimes they are small acts of faith that most show others God's love and provision for all of us.

Some ways we can be lights to the world today include encouraging others in their trials and difficulties through phone calls, text messages, or face-to-face interactions. Other ways could be using your skills and talents in the community or in the ministry, such as singing in the choir, working with children, helping the elders, and perhaps even taking the pulpit to preach a sermon. Being a light means allowing others to connect with that light through service and connection, offering the opportunity to share with them how you have the joy of Jesus to help you in your trials and distress.

As you shine your light for others to see, you will also see that it becomes less and less to gain recognition of what you have done and more of how you can direct that praise to God. If it weren't for Him, you wouldn't be in a place where you could. shine with light and serve others in love with Him. Because of who He is, you have become the follower of Christ that you are.

Shine your light
Matthew 5:16 is a verse that has been appreciated and loved for many for years, explaining who we are in Christ and how what we do for Him brings glory and love to God our Father.

As Jesus shared these truths with His followers, they could see that He was different from others who preached for their own glory. His own shining light was turned on to bring people back to God the Father and all that is for us.

We embody the same light when we share God's love with others as Jesus did, serving them with peaceful hearts and directing them to God's provision and mercy. As we let our lights shine, we are grateful for the opportunities we have to be these. beacons of hope for people and glorify God in heaven.