05/04/09

Let your light shine and glorify God the Father

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

Most people think this scripture talks about the light being a good person and doing social work etc. which people will see and glorify God. No, it is not so, our works may impress man but it will not glorify God.

I always emphasize on digging deep into the words to get the true meaning of the scriptures (I preached on this topic for nearly two hours with many scriptures a two Sundays back, so I pray I do justice in a short mail).

For the true meaning we need to get into the TVM (Tense, Voice & Mood) of the words – shine and see, and relate them to the three parts of our being - mind, body and spirit.

The word shine has the TVM - Aorist, Active & Imperative


Definitions:-
Aorist: The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time.

Active: The active voice represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action.

Imperative: The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding.

While the word see has the TVM - Second Aorist, Active & Subjunctive

Second Aorist: The "second aorist" tense is identical in meaning and translation to the normal or "first" aorist tense. The only difference is in the form of spelling the words in Greek, and there is no effect upon English translation.

Subjunctive: The subjunctive mood is the mood of possibility and potentiality. The action described may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances.

When put this into perspective what we shine - in mind we do it irrespective of the past present or future, in body it means we do it actively, physically and in spirit we do it under the authority of the one who asked us to do it (Jesus Christ).

Now coming to see - the second aorist is like a confused tense since it points to another tense, thus logically does need to exist. Therefore the person who sees does not understand what is the use of it with relations to the present, past or future, but in physical sees a manifestation and in spirit does not know where it will lead.

In John 1: 1-5 we see the Word is light and it manifested into flesh as Jesus. Jesus as prophesized by Isaiah (Mathew 4:14-17) was the light and became so as He preached.

Thus our shining is not related to good works or with social service but with preaching the Gospel. For people will not understand why you are doing it or where it will lead to, but will see the manifestation of the Word for they will see miracles and healings. And it is this, which will give glory to the Father who is in Heaven.

This shining you are not supposed to do in the quiet or hiding. You need to do it openly and publicly so the whole world sees the true Light - Jesus. Since we are entering this holy week it is more the necessary to shine the true Light for all to see.


[ Prayer Starter ]

Father God, I want to give glory to You, for You are worthy of all glory. Give me the courage Father to go out into the world and preach to them the salvation which You have made available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Matthew 4:12-17
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 5:15
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)