Light of the World

Our Heavenly Father invites us to work. Why? He could do everything without us, yet He chooses to involve us. Perhaps He wants the work to give us dignity, responsibility, or a sense of significance as we strive to make a little difference, however little, on earth.


We’ve seen people do good work throughout history. Examples include the disciples forming the first century church; the founding fathers of democracy in the eighteenth century; the generation who fought Nazi-led genocide; the civil rights leaders who fought racism; parents in every generation building up stable families; and creators of technologies that liberated many.
 
According to some studies, we still have more than 40 million people held illegally in slavery. Kids are forced to roll cigarettes fourteen hours a day, and kids younger than ten are sold to pedophiles. We need people to raise their voices to identify the culprits. We need people to stand up, using law enforcement and survivor services, to stop such practices.
 
If Christians do good work, the work will serve as light to the world, shining before others, who may see these good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
 
Having said that, we must be careful to recognize the right types of work. For example, during the twelfth Century, fighting in the Crusades probably was considered the work God wanted the people during that time to do.
 
In the story about Martha and Mary, Martha thought she did a lot of work for Christ. But Christ reminded her it was more important to quietly listen to Him (Luke 10:38-42).

Having a good relationship with God and developing one’s character take precedence over work, as they both inform our decision on what work we should do. By doing such work, we are following God. This gives us a glimpse of His Kingdom on earth.
 
May our work be good deeds, shining before others, so they may glorify our Heavenly Father.
 
Summary of a sermon by Gary Haugen at:
https://www.crosspreach.com/sermons/listall/25/page:9
With excerpts from a Tim Keller sermon
http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource
http://www.gospelinlife.com/discovering-your-spiritual-gifts-29

 

世界之光
 
天父邀请我们加入祂的工作与他同工。这是为什么呢？祂本可以自己做一切而不依赖我们，然而却选择让我们参与其中。祂可能希望工作带给我们尊严、责任感或生命的意义。
 
纵观历史可以看到许多善工的例子：第一世纪的门徒组成的基督教会、十八世纪美国推行民主制度的开国元勋、与纳粹党种族灭绝战斗的一代、与种族歧视斗争的民權運動领袖、每一代建立稳定的家园的父母以及带给人解放的新技术发明创造者。
 
根据研究现在仍然有超过四千万人被非法奴役，孩子被迫每天卷烟十四小时，十岁以下的孩子被卖给恋童癖者。需要有人伸张正义识别这些罪魁祸首，需要有人站出来执行法律，为幸存者提供保护服务,从而制止这种罪恶的活动。
 
如果基督徒做善工，这些工作可以成为世界的光，照在人面前使他们可以看见我们的善行，归荣耀给我们天上的父（马太福音5：14-16）。
 
话虽如此，必须谨慎选择正确的工作。例如十字军东征的战争在十二世纪被错误地认为是替上帝而做的事工。
 
在马大和马利亚的故事中，马大以为她为基督做了很多事，但基督提醒她更重要的是安静地聆听祂的话 （路加福音10：38-42）。
 
与上帝建立良好关系并培养基督徒的品格当优先于工作本身。 有了这样的关系和品格可以帮助我们选择做正确的事。我们做这样的工作就是在跟随神，也可以瞥见祂的国度降临在地上的情景。
 
愿我们的工作成为好行为照在人前，叫他們看見就將榮耀歸給天上的父。