Meant to Shine
Posted by Karah
Pause
Spend a few minutes praying for those in your circle of influence—your family, friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors. Pray that God would show you how to reach these people with the gospel.
Read Matthew 5:13-16 in your Bible.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16
Answer these questions:
What would happen if you mixed dirt and dust in with salt? Would it still be usable to flavor your food? Explain.
Salt is meant to flavor and purify. A lamp is meant to shine and guide people. How do these examples help you to understand about what the lives of Christians are meant to do? Explain.
Read verse 16 once more. According to this verse, what are our good deeds supposed to accomplish? Why is this important to understand?
Just as salt and lamps have a purpose, so do we as followers of Christ. Our lives are meant to point people to God so that He will be glorified, and they will understand and receive His love for them.
Respond
We are to reflect His light. Our lives should point to Him. Our thoughts, attitudes, words, actions—everything—should glorify Him so people see Jesus when they look at us. Evaluate your life with these questions:
Do you try to blend in with what those around you were saying and doing or do you say no to sin?
Do you try to hide the fact that you are a Christian from anyone? Or do you live each day confident in His love and determined to show His love to others?
If your answers reflect that you hide or blend in more than letting your light shine, acknowledge that. Be honest with God about it and ask for His forgiveness for any sin you’ve committed. Then, ask Him for the courage and strength to live differently this week. Each day is a fresh start, and His mercies are new (Lam. 3:22-23).
As a Christian, you’ve been placed exactly where you are for a reason. God wants to use you to shine His light so that your friends, classmates, and family see Him more clearly. Pray that you will allow God to shine through your life this week so that others may learn more about Him.
Behind the Story
At this point in history, salt was more than just for flavoring like it is today. In biblical times, salt was used to purify what it was added to. However, if the salt lost its taste, it couldn’t do its job. The phrase “lose its taste” refers to immoral and foolish behavior. When we, as believers in Jesus, choose to sin and blend in with the world, we can’t do what God has called us to—show His purity and love to those around us. We miss out on our purpose.
The Point
God works so powerfully through believers that people look past them and give glory to Him.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions