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Good Works That Shine
Sharing the Good News
Introduction
During the first two days of this week, we've talked about the need to go and tell. I don't want you to get the idea, though, that sharing the gospel is all talk and no walk. You also shouldn't think of sharing the gospel as something you limit to an hour or two during the week. You should shine all the time.
Scripture Reading
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16)
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (Tit 2:9-10)
Ye are the Light
Christ didn't say that His followers should be the light of the world, but that they were the light of the world. This is an important point. If you don't light you're corner of the world, who will? You're it!
Shine ... Good Works
In other passages we've seen how Christ called His followers to tell the world the good news. In this passage, Christ called His followers to influence the world by their works. The Pharisees did their works to impress other with who they were. Christians are to work in ways that glorify their Father. We are to deflect and direct the glory to Him.
Adorn the Gospel
Paul said servants could "adorn the doctrine of God." The word translated adorn is "kosmeo" from which we get the word "cosmetics." You might say that servants can give the gospel a pretty face - they can make it attractive to others by their good behavior on the job.
It's important to combine good works with good words. Your good works will give you opportunities to tell others why you do what you do. Just doing good, without explaining your motives, may not be that helpful. Lots of people do good works. They do them for many different reasons. Your good works might get people's attention, but they won't point people to Christ if you are silent when you get the chance to speak.
What About You?
- What good works have you done for the glory of God in the last week? The last month? I'm not asking so you can be proud of yourself, but so you can see if you need to make some changes.
- Do you do your good works in such a way that people glorify God because of what you do? How do you try to react when people try to heap praise on you?