Let It Shine

I have been going through a devotional recently from Catalyst on YouVersion. It was talking about humans being the image bearer of our Creator. This is one of the greatest qualities that humans have. We bear the image of our Creator. Nothing else in all of creation gets that privilege.

The devotion that I was reading tied two passages from the Bible together in a way that I have never seen. I was interested in how it would play out, and it did not disappoint.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26-27‬ HCSB)

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14-16‬ HCSB)

Did you see it?

The image of God is placed upon humans rather than any other part of creation for a purpose. I love purpose. It helps to know the "why" behind the "what." Nothing else in all of creation can reflect and display God like humans can.

This is why Jesus gives this statement in the Sermon on the Mount. He commands us to let the light within us shine clear and bright. Why? Because God deserves all the praise and glory. When we, as His image-bearers, allow our light to shine, that happens. There is nothing good within us naturally because of sin. But when Christ redeems us, He also clears the case for the Image to shine through.

Let us heed Jesus' words today and let our light (Christ in us) shine bright for all to see. Then God will receive the glory and praise that He is due.