Feb 7th, 2023: Be A Shinning Light

 

"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Some people accuse Christians of being hypocrites. In some ways, they are not wrong because we don't always live up to what we claim to believe. We face temptations and trials as often as other people do. We fail at times. When that happens there is no light within us.

We also become self-righteous in how we interact with others. When we do this, the light also is out. No one would see God except our pompous selves. Being right with God is the outcome of God's mercy. Being right with one another reflects God's mercy in our lives.

We need to learn how to become less and less so Jesus will become more and more in our lives. The church in North America needs to learn this lesson well so we will not give into the temptation of pursuing worldly power. Many Christian leaders love to rub shoulders with power brokers in politics and business. I wonder whose voice we are listening to when we do that.

A young man told me once after my sermon one Sunday that churches are full of hypocrites. Here was what I said to him: "You are right. Come and join us anyway. One more would not hurt."