Matthew 5:16
“Your light must shine before people in such away that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus calls us the light of the world. It’s because of Him. He has given us a new nature which is like His, which is light. We also reflect Him was we walk with Him and draw nigh to Him. This is like the moon reflecting the suns light. He dwells in us. Therefore we are light. Without Him we extinguish, grow dim and burn out.
Part of the light is for people to see our good works and glorify God. Because we are His children and are filled with His Spirit He helps us love others and do good works. The second command is to love others as we love ourselves. On our own this is impossible. But with Him all things are possible.
God wants others to see our good works, but we aren’t to do them to be seen. Jesus says in Matthew 6:2, “So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.” We are to do them in private. It’s God’s job to advertise them. He will open the eyes of those that need to see them. Our job is to love God and love others as He brings needs to us to fill.
All of this is for the purpose of glorifying God. Awesome. He is worthy. Praise happens in heaven constantly. This is so for it is right. God is so good and so smart that He should be praised. Our next heart beat happens because He makes it happen. This is for all the people and all creatures with a heart. He allows our white blood cells to function as they do and kill infections. We are alive right now because He wills it. That deserves praise. We could go down several trails. Most or all mammals have a rib cage to protect their organs. The hundreds of thousands of us didn’t just evolve for that to be so. He created it for the organs to be kept from a fall. It’s brilliant. A scientist could go on and on, bringing up example after example of His brilliance.
A popular actor rejected God when young because he thought it egotistical that God would want praise. This is quite hypocritical as all of us want and seek praise. We are more sophisticate and don’t outright seek it. My wife is great at appreciating the handy fixes I do. I love it. I rarely tell her, but I hope she sees them. Actors are probably far more guilty than most about advertising themselves.
Receiving recognition is appropriate and right. There are annual award shows for this purpose. No one thinks this is wrong. Recognition is often a good thing. God created that thirst and need in us. He blesses us with recognition. Psalm 23 says, “He prepareth a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
Lord, thank You for the gift of making us light. Help us to do the good works You prepare us for. Help us to do these in private. May You use them to Your glory.