IS MY FAITH GLORIFYING GOD OR MISLEADING OTHERS?

​BIBLE PASSAGE:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, 
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 
(Matthew 5:16)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever thought about how clever Satan can be 
in his tactics to discourage people from seeking salvation, 
but more than that, duping Christians into wrong thinking?
He knows that we have been given the potential for pointing others to Christ, 
but if we fail to utilize what God has given us, then Satan wins.

One of his schemes is to cause Christians to misread the scriptures.
We might read the Bible, quote scriptures and post them on social media, 
but we fail to understand and apply God’s instructions.
For example, we might read Matthew 5:16 and fail to see that it is not 
just a nice thing for us to do, but it is in fact, a command to believers.
God is telling Christians that we have a responsibility to “do good deeds” 
which will “glorify our Father in heaven”.

God is commanding those who are followers of Christ 
to be proactive in His ministry.
Some might say, 
“I would like to do good deeds, but am not sure what I should do”.
For starters, we can show the sincerity of our faith.
Whether we like it or not, lost souls are observing us, 
which means we can either point them to the Lord with our sincerity, 
or turn them away with our lack of commitment. 

For example:
If a lost person thinks a Christian shouldn’t drink alcohol, 
how would it impact them if they saw a believer with a beer in their hand?
If a lost person thinks a Christian shouldn’t use profanity, 
how would it impact them if they heard a believer using curse words?
If a lost person thinks a Christian should be faithful in church attendance, 
how would it impact them if they seldom saw a believer 
going to church on Sunday?

If a lost person thinks a Christian should be 
an encourager and not belittle others, how would it impact them 
if they heard a believer ‘bad-mouthing’ another person?
If a lost person thinks a Christian should be gentle and humble, how would 
it impact them if they saw a believer who is arrogant or loses his temper?

We could add many more examples, but the important thing for every 
Christian to realize is, God commands us to do good works that glorify Him, 
and that do not cause lost souls to fall away from seeking salvation.
Turning others away is not ‘glorifying our Father in heaven’.
Paul said, “It is better not to eat meat, or drink wine, or to do anything 
else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (Romans 14:21)

An example of showing the sincerity of our faith:
Tom Allan (Scotland’s famous young preacher), was brought to Christ while 
a black soldier was singing, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” 
He said it was neither the song nor the voice, but the spirit in which that 
soldier sang (something about his manner; something about his sincerity of 
expression) that convicted him of his wicked life and turned him to the Savior. 

ACTION:
What ‘good deeds’ are you doing to ‘glorify your Father in heaven’?
Are you guilty of turning others away from God 
by your actions and lack of ‘good deeds’?
How are you showing (not just talking about) the sincerity of your faith?
Have you accepted the responsibility of obeying God’s commands to Christians?

Are you reluctant to pray in public 
before eating a meal that God has provided?
Can others observe your habits and say, 
“I am fairly sure that person is a Christian”?
Remember, one faithful Christian is worth more than many who ‘talk’ religion.
Consider your faith as being similar to a muscle – it grows through expression.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I admit that in some cases I have failed to read Your 
Word as a ‘call to action’. Now I realize the importance of my expressing 
the sincerity of my faith in Christ. Forgive me for my lackadaisical 
attitude and help me to be proactive in my efforts to glorify You through 
my actions. Remind me that lost people are watching me and are influenced 
by the way I express my faith. Impress on me the importance of living a 
life that supports my belief, and not one that contradicts it. I ask for 
Your guidance in helping me to remove my habits that are turning others 
away from seeking salvation. I pray that others will be drawn to You 
through me (not by my words, but by the way I show that my faith is real).”



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