In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven

Matthew 5:16 

Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:12

Recurrent Thought

Our responsibility is to glorify God; and one major way to do this is to minister to humanity with good works

Jesus concludes that the purpose of our good works on the earth is to glorify God (Math. 5: 16). Using powerful metaphors of Salt, Light and City—whose essence is influencing and impacting others—Jesus shows that the purpose of human beings on the earth is to glorify God.

Therefore, every good work we are admonished to do, is not about ourselves, but God.

Based on these texts, Matthew 5:16 and Ecclesiastes 12:13 which states that “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” many denominational Dogmas and Confessions states that “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

As we conclude the discussion on the Place of Good Works in our Journey as believers it is important that we constantly do good works with an aim to glorify God. In this regard, the Good Works we refer to are those done: 1. by a child of God. 2. In obedience to God his Father’s command. 3. For the good of men. 4. For the glory of God (David Dickson).

Here are two major thoughts as we wrap up this Series

1. Keep it Balanced
   • Sometimes, human beings due to the perverseness of their nature, do good works to draw attention and bring honor to themselves
   • Christ devoted followers are not immune to the temptation of showing off our good works
   • The Pharisees acted to be seen of men, true Christ devoted followers act to glorify God, and care little what people may think of them.
   • To keep a tough balance is to do good works in such a way that you ensure people praise Your Father in heaven
   • Good Works must be done with clear intentions not to be seen by human beings.
   • The goal of us shinning the Light through our Works is that others may see God’s grace in us
   • The antidote to Selfishness is the capacity to minister to others without the demand that they celebrate you
   • The best way to have this tough balance is to do great and excellent works as if no one is present to see you
2.   Manifest God’s Glory
   • God is a being (an essence) we know only to the level He has revealed Himself to us. The wonder of all wonders is that our Good Works have the capacity to reveal him more amongst the peoples of the World.
   • What we do does not add to the essence of God’s Glory, neither do we make him more than he already is; however, our good works manifests His Glory among people.
   • Our Chief reason to exist is to glorify God (Rev. 4:11, Math 5:16; Ecc. 12:13)).
   • Don’t be trapped to excite people with your good works. Mat 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
   • Good Works when done with good intentions, glorify God. Jesus echoed these words in John 15:8, By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 
   • The Challenge with doing good works and insist that we glorify God, is that our God is invisible and many times we rob him of His Glory
   • We are in an age where we have become very idolatrous. We have become idols, gods of our times. Imagine how we have legitimized Self worship. The Social Media platforms have become our thrones.
   • People come to glorify God when they see the zeal, fervency, plainness, openness, sincerity, faithfulness, integrity or courage through Your actions.
   • When people see that you don’t wrap good works around yourself, then they honor and praise God.
   • Our Works must glorify our Father. This is the first time, God is termed the Father in the NT. Father means is source of our lives and guide on our Journey.

Dedicating our Work(s) to the Lord makes us conscious of its value ourselves, others and to God

Altar Time

I dedicate my Works, to You Lord!

Lord, I dedicate all my works to You. May they be good works to glorify you

• Work as I serve You
• Work as I serve My Family
• Work as I serve my congregation
• Work as I serve my Vocation, profession (school)
• Work as I serve others on my life’s Journey