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“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Jesus was teaching during His sermon on the mount that we as Christians need to be seen by others of the world. How and why are we to be seen? We are to be seen doing good works. We are to be doing the good works in order that God may receive the glory.
As Christians we need to love doing good works. What does it mean to “love good works?” A good work can be defined as the following: “a strong feeling or devotion to any physical or mental activity that produces something that is morally beneficial or desirable” (def. by Halbert Tucker). Christians need to focus time, money, and energy on these good works that are beneficial to others and to God’s kingdom.
Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We need not put our hearts on treasures of this world that will rot away, be stolen, or get lost. Things like cell phones, tablets, money, jobs, hobbies, and sports seem to be where we have our treasures
in today’s world. But our treasure should be treasures of heaven. Doing good works is one of the ways we can focus on heavenly treasures.
Just doing good works alone is not going to get you to heaven. We must obey the gospel the way God commands we obey. But he also commands us to be ready for every good work. “…to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1) “…equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17).
We need to be people zealous for good works as Paul described to Titus in Titus 2:14. So lets look for ways that we can shine our lights by doing good works so glory may be given to God.
Nick Pace
S. Green St. church of Christ
Glasgow, KY