Light, Attitudes, and Fruit
Here's the next installment!
Matthew 5-7
Wow, there’s so much in these chapters, it’s impossible to “reflect” on all of it! A couple of things struck me in relation to drawing people in, showing forth His glory, and spreading the fragrance of Christ. First, the light of the world. 5:14, 16 says, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” We are to be filled with light, shining for all to see. But oftentimes I think I am filled with shadows, not light. I complain – about school work, about “stress,” about the people around me, about small aches and pains, about how slowly graduation seems to be approaching, etc. Little things, all of them. I do not shine forth the joy and peace of God which transcends all understanding. Rather, I oftentimes respond to life’s little trials in worldly ways – by feeling put upon, or annoyed, or self-righteous. This is not acting as the light of the world, nor is it an attitude that would draw anyone towards Christ.
Second, how does 5:16 (“…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”) jive with 6:1 (“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”)? I think this must have to do with our attitude, once again. We are to be different from the world – set apart – a light on a hill. Thus, not only will our actions be gracious, giving, joyful, godly, and full of light, but they will be this way because our attitudes are aligned with God’s desires for us. If we are only doing good things to be seen by others, then our hearts are clearly not right with God. It seems we have a tight line to walk – we are to live in such a way that others can’t help seeing the difference in us, but we are not to live this way so that others will notice and praise us. A narrow gate indeed (7:13-14)!
Third, bearing fruit. In 7:15-20 Jesus says that good trees can’t help bearing good fruit, and are incapable of bearing bad fruit. Any tree that bears bad fruit is a bad tree. And yet I seem to see a mix of good and bad fruit in my life and interactions with others. Perhaps this is part of the already/not yet tension of kingdom life. It is my prayer that as Christ works in me, there an increasing measure of good fruit and a steadily decreasing measure of bad fruit. People are drawn to such trees, because they enjoy the fruits they provide. Lord, help me to increase the good fruits in my life and thus draw people to You, the source of all life and goodness.
Matthew 5-7
Wow, there’s so much in these chapters, it’s impossible to “reflect” on all of it! A couple of things struck me in relation to drawing people in, showing forth His glory, and spreading the fragrance of Christ. First, the light of the world. 5:14, 16 says, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” We are to be filled with light, shining for all to see. But oftentimes I think I am filled with shadows, not light. I complain – about school work, about “stress,” about the people around me, about small aches and pains, about how slowly graduation seems to be approaching, etc. Little things, all of them. I do not shine forth the joy and peace of God which transcends all understanding. Rather, I oftentimes respond to life’s little trials in worldly ways – by feeling put upon, or annoyed, or self-righteous. This is not acting as the light of the world, nor is it an attitude that would draw anyone towards Christ.
Second, how does 5:16 (“…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”) jive with 6:1 (“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”)? I think this must have to do with our attitude, once again. We are to be different from the world – set apart – a light on a hill. Thus, not only will our actions be gracious, giving, joyful, godly, and full of light, but they will be this way because our attitudes are aligned with God’s desires for us. If we are only doing good things to be seen by others, then our hearts are clearly not right with God. It seems we have a tight line to walk – we are to live in such a way that others can’t help seeing the difference in us, but we are not to live this way so that others will notice and praise us. A narrow gate indeed (7:13-14)!
Third, bearing fruit. In 7:15-20 Jesus says that good trees can’t help bearing good fruit, and are incapable of bearing bad fruit. Any tree that bears bad fruit is a bad tree. And yet I seem to see a mix of good and bad fruit in my life and interactions with others. Perhaps this is part of the already/not yet tension of kingdom life. It is my prayer that as Christ works in me, there an increasing measure of good fruit and a steadily decreasing measure of bad fruit. People are drawn to such trees, because they enjoy the fruits they provide. Lord, help me to increase the good fruits in my life and thus draw people to You, the source of all life and goodness.
posted by Erin at 12:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home