LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AMONG MEN!

4th NOVEMBER 2021

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

 

One essential aspect of creation is that we are God’s emanations, having His essence and soul in us. God has given us everything we need to adapt to living on earth and be co-workers with Him in His vineyard. This means that we must do the things pleasing to God in each passing moment of our lives. The scripture recorded that everything God created was good. However, due to man’s inhumanity to man, as well as a continuous plundering and destruction of our natural habitat, we do not seem to enjoy the harmony and peace that God wants for us. This overall lapse is responsible for widespread disease, ignorance, and poverty in our world today.

This devotional is a wake-up call for you to rediscover your role in the collective mission of the human race. In the natural scheme of things, everyone is a co-worker with God in His vineyard. We are individually and collectively expected to preserve and multiply what God has created for us on earth. Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 thus:

“We are workers together with God, so we beg you: Do not let the grace that you received from God be for nothing. God says,

‘At the right time, I heard your prayers.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.’

I tell you that the “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is now”

Therefore, every effort to help redirect the course of things towards perfection is counted as significant in the natural scheme of things. Your good efforts are never in vain; it’s a great addition, either towards the work of regeneration of the human spirit or in the reconstruction of our physical environment. For every contribution you make. Therefore, there is a reward (1 Corinthians 3:8-10)

As we continuously serve the purpose of God on earth, we must give thanks to God as well for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard. With thanksgiving comes praises to God, for it is not by our might and strength but by the spirit of God.

Today’s word tells us that God created us for his glory; that is, to serve His purpose on earth by pleasingly working with Him to Him alone. To live for the glory of God is to glorify God in all ways. This we can do regularly through championing laudable causes or giving willingly of our resources and time to serve the need of others. In so doing, we also will win praises for God.

For so many reasons, some persons do not like to make a sacrifice for the sake of blessing others. Also, some have expressed fears about giving or making a sacrifice for the sake of others. The reason is that they would themselves become poorer if they do so. This is a wrong belief. Giving is a Godly act, notwithstanding who is receiving. Also, there are those who, though they want to make a sacrifice, would prefer to take the glory for themselves instead of giving God the glory. This also doesn’t seem right. Everything we do must be done for His glory, for God to be pleased with us and to reward us bountifully.

We must, therefore, strive to bring glory to God through an exemplary life of compassion and good deeds so that men will see our life and give God the glory instead. Consequently, glorifying God is not merely an act of worship on Sunday. It is a peculiar kind of style in service and sacrifice which is pleasing to God alone. When we do that, we are richly blessed in return, while the glory of God continues to shine through us into all things.

  PRAYER

 Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I give you glory, and I declare your praises even in the coastlands of the sea. Lord Jesus, equip me in every good work so I can do the Father’s will and work in the way pleasing to Him alone.  Take all the glory, forever and forever. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Luke 6:27-33; Isaiah 49:8