Seeking Jesus First Feb. 26, 2025
The Dichotomy of Good Works
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16, NKJV)
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:1–4, NKJV)
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.” A Few Moments Later… Jesus said, “Be careful that you do not do your good deeds before men, to be seen by them.” At first glance, these two statements would give two readers an opportunity to argue. It could even sound like Jesus is contradicting Himself.
The key is found in the first passage. “Let your light shine before men.” Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world.” The light comes from the inside. When we have the eye of our hearts fixed on Jesus and our love for Him shows up in the way that we treat others, our good works will all reflect on our Heavenly Father. Our good works will glorify Him.
On the other hand, when the eye of our heart is duplicitous, our motives are unclear and our good works reflect on ourselves. Eventually, our ulterior motives become exposed and it casts shade on the One we claim to represent. People around us begin using our selfishness as a reason to reject the God we claim to serve. This is what the pharisees were doing. They claimed to be keeping the law, but their hearts were full of wickedness.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV)