Let Your Light Shine

You have probably driven at night and approached a large city whose lights caused the night sky to glow. Even scores of miles away, illuminated clouds tell you a teeming metropolis is just over the horizon.

As you drew closer, you began to see the radiance emanating from countless smaller lights on skyscrapers, apartments and towers. The sight is impossible to miss.

The same should be true of us. Jesus Christ told His followers in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14).

Just like a bright city at night, Christians should unmistakably stick out to the world around them.

Christ revealed that this involves a personal role for every one of us: “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house” (vs. 15). It is our job to fulfill verse 16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Lights serve a purpose: to illuminate as much of the house as possible so people can see at night. Each person called by God is one of these lights. He has “lit” each of us and placed us where we can be useful to those around us.

Clearly God wants us to be good examples to the world. But how exactly do we “glorify” God? Is it as simple as always being nice to others or appearing happy?

This is especially important to understand as we prepare to attend the Feast of Tabernacles. We will be surrounded by people to whom we can display our good works and introduce our heavenly Father through our examples.

Let’s dig into how you can really let your light shine brightly upon others.

What Are Good Works?

In Matthew 19:16, a young ruler asked Christ, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” This young man asked for clarification on what he needed to do to qualify for the Kingdom. Jesus’ response lays a foundation for good works: “If you will enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Obeying God is the most basic form of good works, and essential for any Christian to receive salvation. But good works involve more than simply keeping the Law. Luke 17:7-10 shows that keeping the commandments alone only makes one “unprofitable.” The word translated unprofitable literally means useless. None of us want that label!

If just keeping God’s commandments is not enough, what else must we do? The apostle John explained that we “keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight” (I John 3:22).

The “things that are pleasing in God’s sight” involves all of our actions and attitudes. Review Mr. Pack’s sermon “And Do Those Things…” for full coverage on this huge topic.

Shining Before Others

So we need to perform good works. But we must go one step further to completely obey Christ’s command. The key is to let those good works shine.

Allowing your Christian conduct to be seen can be difficult. When others notice your good deeds, you may feel a little embarrassed. Of course, we should not flaunt our good works by calling attention to them (Matt. 6:1). But this does not mean to shy away from doing what is right when others are watching.

Peter and John exemplified this just days after the New Testament Church began. In Acts 3, as they walked into the Temple, Peter healed a beggar who had been lame for over 40 years. He knew this act would draw the ire of the Jewish religious authorities. Yet he still openly told the man, saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

Peter and John did not call a crowd together. They did not blow a trumpet or bring the beggar into the middle of the Temple to draw a mass of onlookers. But they did perform the miracle in full view of the people walking in and out.

The miracle drew a crowd, and Peter began to preach. The priests and Sadducees heard about this, and resented Peter and John for teaching about Jesus Christ. However, they could not deny that the apostles had performed a miracle. Ultimately, the Sadducees let them go with a reprimand (4:18).

This good work helped about 5,000 hear their preaching and believe (vs. 4), but all the people, including even the Temple authorities to some extent, acknowledged and glorified God for the miracle (vs. 21).

Daily Opportunities

Most Christians today have neither the gift of healing nor the office of apostle. Does this command to let our lights shine only apply to those with special gifts or offices?

Of course not!

You can shine through your obedience to God’s way of life and showing true love—real outgoing concern for others—without deliberately drawing attention to yourself for doing it.

Each day, you have countless opportunities to let your good works show. Remember that, while Christ walked the Earth, He always did what pleased God (John 8:29). When you emulate Christ, you too can do what pleases God.

The most obvious way your light shines is through keeping God’s Law. Recall what we established earlier.

Not eating unclean animals is a simple example. People may think it weird when they notice you consistently avoiding bacon and pepperoni pizza, but eventually they begin to understand and possibly learn that you are living by God’s dietary laws in Leviticus. You are literally showing God’s way of life through your actions.

Keeping the Sabbath correctly sets us apart even more. Christ was often noticed for Sabbath observance—particularly for the things He did on this day that were in line with God’s Word. For example, He performed healings (Mark 3:1-6), enjoyed some food handpicked from a field (Matt. 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1), joined others for a meal (14:1), and attended and served at services (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:16).

Now consider how brightly you shine when you face a teacher or employer and gently but firmly say that you will not work on the Sabbath. Asking for time off from work or taking children out of school for Holy Days is a clear indicator to others that you keep God’s Law.

Yet remember to expand this beyond the commandments. Our outward appearance is one of the most visible ways our lights shine. Your clothes should show others that you serve a God of quality. Even as societal norms slip deeper into casual sloppiness, we must always strive to keep our appearance decent and orderly.

While we must stay balanced and not go beyond our financial means, we do have guidelines to follow. Clothes should not have holes or tears, nor should they be too tight or revealing. Our hair should be brushed and clean. Our shoes, belts, purses and bags should not appear scuffed and worn.

Remember that fashion trends come and go, but if something looks good today and has looked good for the past 80 years then it will probably never go out of style. (The Pillar article “An Ambassador’s Appearance” explains more about how to apply this in your life.)

The people outside the Church who see us the most are our neighbors and co-workers. Whether you live in an apartment building in the city, in a suburban home, or out in the country, the people you live near or work with are always noticing how you manage your appearance and your living spaces.

Another way to shine is by staying calm and peaceful in stressful situations. It is easy to lose your head when things start to fall apart, but you have the calm assurance that you will get through it. Remember that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able” to handle (I Cor. 10:13). Whether dealing with difficult family circumstances, argumentative co-workers or bad traffic, staying cheerful, calm and patient shows others an example of God’s own characteristics (Gal. 5:22-23).

Your demeanor and attitude is often the biggest indicator that you are different. Consider: How many people are truly sorry when they make a mistake? How many are genuinely kind to others when shopping in stores, driving in traffic, or simply walking through their neighborhoods? How many employees consistently put forth effort to improve their skills and personality? The answer to all of these questions is, sadly, the minority.

Showing care for others will leave them with a good impression they will not easily forget.

Opportunities with Brethren

So far we have discussed ways you can glorify God to those in the world. This can also be done with brethren in a greater way. For instance, you may have stories of answered prayers that you can share with others. As King David did in the Psalms, we can and should tell each other of all God’s wondrous works in our lives (Psa. 26:7).

Not everyone has had or needed a miraculous healing, but some have. If you have experienced a miracle, share it! If someone shares a miracle with you, celebrate it! These experiences remind us that we are in the right place, doing the right thing, and help us glorify God.

The same holds true for trials and struggles that we have overcome or that you may still be enduring. The stories of others’ challenges and how God helped them through them can be very encouraging for others going through issues.

When you come to Sabbath or Holy Day services, you have an opportunity to serve as well. Whether you move tables, arrange flowers, prepare food for a potluck, drive someone to services, call someone who cannot meet with others, lead songs, give announcements, visit the sick, or anything else that can be done to help brethren, you do a good work and shine for it.

Serving each other outside of services is also vital. When you see a need, you can try to fill it, but service does not always need to be voluntary. If a minister or deacon asks you to do something, go above and beyond. Matthew 5:41 describes how a Christian should always try to do more than the bare minimum.

Reliability shines a light brighter than you may realize. Arriving on time to every meeting, gathering with friends or family, doctor visit and appointment with co-workers or bosses shows that you keep your word. This reflects well on God, who “is not slack concerning His promise” (II Pet. 3:9) and expects us to be just as trustworthy (Ecc. 5:4-5).

This year, as you arrive to your Feast site, remember that you are on display. Plan and prepare to let your light shine even brighter than last year. Find ways to exemplify Christianity starting from the time you leave your home to travel to your site. You have a role in keeping this city well-lit during these special days.

If you are new in the Church or returning after a long time away from the Body of Christ, observe how those who have been living this way for years let their lights shine.

If you have been living God’s Way for a number of years, understand that newer brethren are looking to you for an example. Make sure your light is bright for others to see (Luke 11:34-36).

You have a direct role in making the Church as a whole a city on a hill that cannot be hid during the entire eight days of the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day. Your gleaming example will be seen by those around you as well as from a distance by those outside the Church. This offers them the opportunity to glorify the one and only true God. Who knows how your example may affect them in the future?

This Feast—and for your entire life—do not hide your light. Let it shine brightly with the rest of the “city lights” for all to see.