Letting Your Light Shine Even When It Hurts Someone's Eyes

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." - Matthew 5:14-15

What means or measure do you use to filter life’s events? In other words .. what is the source from which you respond to what happens to you and around you?  Since this is a faith-based BLOG, the “right” answer would be - your faith.  But that may not be what actually happens. We might like it to be that way, but so often we stumble as we walk in the Way.  If we fail to embrace the primacy of our new nature in our life then we will put the natural in the front of the line .. at the top of the stack of responses to life.  

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 

The life I now live in the body .. means my natural life has been usurped by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  How I respond to life, now, should always be based on who I am in Christ.  Romans 12:2 says don’t be conformed to the natural but be transformed by the supernatural.  Loving God with all of you does not leave any room for the flesh and the natural.  When Jesus said 

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26-27  

That means that you must put the natural in its proper place and it cannot be ahead of Jesus and your new life. Most people want to be in harmony with their family.  Sometimes our faith gets in the way of that natural harmony.  Many people want the acceptance of their family more than anything.  If you are a Christian, that may not be possible if acceptance by your family means that you must be willing to compromise your faith.  

Have you ever “tucked your faith in your pocket” when you are around certain people so as not to offend them?  If you have, you put the natural ahead of the supernatural.  You chose to deny your faith in favor of  acceptance from the world .. and that, sadly, may include your family and friends.  You don’t have to be offensive, but you should also not be apologetic.  We are called to be salt and light.  Salt that has lost its saltiness …its ability to do what it was created to do … flavor and heal … is good for nothing and should be cast out to be trampled under men’s feet. (Matthew 5:13) That doesn’t sound good does it.

The world is trying hard to erase the Truth and substitute a lie in its place.  And in the face of that ... you and I are to be spiritual salt and light – what we were reborn to be (2 Corinthians 5:17).   Have you ever been in a dark room when someone opened the curtains or turned the lights on.  Did it hurt your eyes?  That is what you do spiritually when you are around other people who are living in darkness.  Be the light!  You don't have to be "in your face" with your faith, but then you should not be apologetic. 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone