SHOW YOUR LIGHT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

SHOW YOUR LIGHT

MAIN TEXT:

 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:18)

WRITER QUOTES:

 ‘Godly example is the most effective way of telling the world about Christ’.

INTRODUCTION

        Genuine Christians bear the light of good works. This is because they are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for such works, (Eph. 2:10). As light bearers, Christians should lead the way in every facet of human enterprise and endeavour. This implies that Christians should radiate God’s moral light in whatever they do. Where this is lacking, it becomes evident that the light in such Christians has been eclipsed. So;

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Nigeria requires the Christian light if she is to make progress in her anti-corruption crusade. Globally, the country faces an intense image crisis which portrays her in bad light. One may be accused of parochialism where one becomes blunt in shifting every blame on lack of the Christian light in the lives of the citizens. This is because not every citizen of Nigeria is a Christian. But, the truth of the matter is that the Christian is said to be the light of the world”, (Matthew 5:14). And so, should not let;

i)      bribery and corruption eclipse the Christian light in the life of the nation;

ii)      ethnic and religious conflicts to cast shadow of disunity on the Nigerian world;

iii)     bitterness and rancor to brush aside the light of the brotherhood of all men in the country, etc. Let it also be known that the expression, “let your light so shine” simply implies that the flag of the Christian virtue must be hoisted in the Christian life to out-shine every human vice.

LET YOUR LIGHT PRODUCE GOOD WORKS

        People need to see one’s good works so as to be convinced that there exists the Christian light in one’s life. However, there is need for caution to avoid taking spurious works for good ones. Good works are based on sound moral considerations, whereas, spurious ones are often aimed at deceiving the unsuspecting public. Evidences abound in Nigeria and the world over, where purported “good works” were later found fraudulent. Therefore, it becomes important to note that a;

i)      ritualist who kills for money making, but renders “false helps” to the family members of his victim is not producing good works, but in fraudulent activity;     

ii)      politician who renders “false helps” to the electorate as a way of securing a mandate is not producing good works, but, in fraudulent activity;

iii)     church member who is in active Christian activities as a way of deceiving people into believing he is genuine is not producing good works, but fraudulent, etc.  

        Having noted the above, it is important to stress that the “good works” that find support in the Bible are those done in line with God’s holiness principle.

LET YOUR LIGHT GIVE GOD THE GLORY

        The Christian light does not aim at “self-glory” but aims at rendering every service to the glory of God. Thus, the Bible states, “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). In view of the aforestated, the obvious contrast comes to play when;

i)      praise singing focuses on government functionaries for certain good works, instead of giving God glory for raising such individuals;

ii)      gifted pastors are praised for the marvelous works of the Lord, instead of giving God glory for his grace.

iii)     people work to achieve “self-glory”, instead of doing all to the glory of God, etc.

In conclusion, be informed that Jesus is, and remains the only source of God’s light. One who ignores Him remains in darkness (John 8:12). LET JESUS REIGN IN YOU.