14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)
We well know that we are to be a shining example of Christ upon this earth. This is not for our benefit, but for those around us to see Christ through us. We diminish so that His light shines through us. Thus, we must be careful to keep our selves from doing good things just to look good. There is a find line between the two.
In the very first verse of the next chapter of Matthew, he says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
When our actions should reflect the Spirit within us in a humble way that does not point back to us, but upward toward heaven. When we do all of our work for Christ and give all of our actions over to the Spirit, how can we not reflect the God we serve?
Reflect on: How, this week, have your words and actions reflected Christ?
