The Light Has Come

Jesus came that we might be light in this dark and dying world, so let your light so shine that people will see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  What are your good works?  I was told a while ago by someone, and I might say very dogmatically, that this is only talking about when we witness to people, telling them about the Lord.  

If this is true, then what is this talking about, faith resulting in good works, in James 2:14-25, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”

I realize that good works will never save us, it says this in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  Good works are the result of being saved and shows that we are putting our faith into action.  It is a way of letting our light shine so that God will be glorified through what we do.

Witnessing and sharing your testimony is very important also, in fact the Word says that, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  Sharing with others shows that we are not ashamed of the Lord or His Word.  True faith in the Lord will transform your way of thinking and help to give you a desire to want to reach out and bless others in different ways as the Lord enables you to do so.  It says this in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

It is only through God’s precious grace, His merited favor, that we are saved but because of our appreciation we will want to step up to the plate, so to speak, and perform good works which God may use to bring someone to Him, praise the Lord!!  Read what it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

You notice when we study the Word we will be equipped for every good work.  We study for various reasons, one of them is to receive knowledge and another wisdom that we need so that we will know what the Lord expects us to do.  Then, when we possess that information we will be ready to help others by releasing our faith through our actions.  God blesses us in different ways, giving us different gifts and talents and also finances so that we can pass on some of the blessings to others by helping them, these are good works.  I hope this is helpful to all that read it and may the good Lord bless you and yours.  May you have a super day!!  And don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord.