Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
When something is transparent, it means that light may pass through it and be seen. The opposite of transparent is opaque, when light is absorbed and does not pass through. God has encouraged us to be like Jesus, who led a transparent life. He desired that, when people looked at Him, they would see through Him to the Father. He was also transparent before His Father, seen clearly in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest.
How much of God’s light passes through you? Being honest and transparent leaves no room for hypocrisy. As you stand for the Lord, you could be mocked or persecuted. There might be social and financial costs attached. However, there are great benefits. As others see Jesus through you, they may be drawn to Him, and their lives forever transformed.
When you have received the love of God and follow Jesus, you learn to love and forgive as He does. As you do what God has called you to do – living with integrity, humility, and honesty – those around you see the Lord through you. Your intentions align with His and He strengthens you in surprising ways when you face difficulties.
Allow the Holy Spirit to show you today where your life has been opaque, or places where “a form of godliness that denies its power” (2 Timothy 3:5) has taken root. Ask God to help you become more transparent so that His light shines, unfiltered, through you. Pray for increased transparency among U.S. government leaders, that they will embrace honesty and integrity that brings blessing to the nation.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
