Posted: 04 August 2025

From a sermon given on 27 July 2025:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
(Matthew 5:16)

This verse reminds us that our daily lives speak louder than our words. When people observe our conduct, they are witnessing a reflection of Christ - or the lack thereof. “Let your light shine before men...." means living in such a way that our actions mirror God's character. We don't possess light of our own; we reflect Christ, who is the true Light of the world (John 8:12).

"....That they may see your good works...." stresses the importance of visible, practical expressions of faith. Our kindness, integrity, generosity, and grace are not just moral choices -they are spiritual testimonies. And finally, "....and glorify your Father which is in heaven" reveals the ultimate purpose: not to draw attention to ourselves, but to lead others toward worshipping the God we serve. "You may be the only Bible some people will ever read" (William J Toms).

It's not what people eat, but what they digest that makes them strong;
Not what we gain, but what we save that makes us rich;
Not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned;
Not what we preach or pray, but what we practice and believe that makes us Christian.
Similarly, it's not what we say, but what we do that draws others to Christ.
(Francis Bacon)

Further Readings:

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
(2 Corinthians 3:2)

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
(Philippians 2:15)

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(1 Peter 2:12)