My Sunday School teacher has a saying he likes to use, “You may be the only Bible they ever read.” This statement has some important implications for Christians if its true. And it is true.
Some people may never read God’s Word. Some people don’t see or understand the importance of reading God’s Word. If people won’t read God’s Word, then we as Christians must reflect God’s Word for them. We must shine for God’s glory that people may see His truth.
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (NASB)
One aspect of this verse that can be very hard to fulfill is letting people see your good works for God’s glory. For me, letting people see your good works isn’t the hard part. In our pridefulness we can be sure to let people see our good works, but ignore the necessity that they be for God’s glory.
We are to shine our light that the Bible – God’s Word and Truth – may be accurately reflected. Yes, we need to shine our light before men and yes, they do need to see our good works. But if we let our pride get in the way of those things being for God’s glory, we fail to fulfill this commandment.
The way we show our good works must be “in such a way” that “your Father who is in heaven” is given all the glory. Because, as my Sunday School teacher likes to often point out, “you may be the only Bible they read.”
