Good day
In the last message we saw that God expects us to shine our light and we looked at some of the ways in which we can do so, but before we can look at how to develop and grow into these things, we must first realise that it all begins and ends with God.
Romans 11:36
For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
Revelation 4;11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness!
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
From the above scriptures we can see that God is the one fully deserved of all glory.
We must realise that when we speak about shining our light, we are not doing so so that we can receive the praise or attention of others. It's not to shine the spotlight on us in any way; the focus must always be on God. This is what Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
I'd like to use a pot-plant as an illustration.
Generally speaking, regardless of the size or fit of the pot itself (how tall it is, how short it is, how wide it is), it's more about what the pot contains that should matter most ... If all we do is focus on the pot by decorating it and showing it off but never fill it with anything, and it never contains what it was meant to, it won't end up showcasing what it's supposed to or bear any "fruit" (flowers) ... the pot shouldn't just be there for decoration, it's supposed to add value by fulfilling what it was created to do.
When people look at a pot-plant, the pot should not be the focus but they should however immediately see the beauty of the plant or flower. This is what others should be drawn to when looking towards the pot-plant.
Similarly, when people compliment the pot-plant, the compliment should be directed towards the plant or flowers and not the pot. The focus should ideally be on what the pot contains and not the pot itself.
2 Corinthians 4:5-7
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We must always remember that we can take no credit for anything and that God deserves all the glory. It is God who saved us. It is God who forgives, restores, delivers, sets free, helps, comforts, encourages, motivates, heals, provides, cares for and loves us. It was God who came up with the idea that our eternal salvation can only be found in Him. It is God who gives us the grace, strength and His Spirit that enables us to live out the destiny He's called us to ... it is God who does it all and He has chosen to love us the way He does ... we can take no credit for all that He is and who He's chosen to be towards us.
Therefore, as we grow and develop in shining "our" light, let us always remember to give God the glory.
Romans 11:36
For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.