so that

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

As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re to, well, follow Him. How do we do that, since He’s not actually walking among us at this time? The answer to this is simple. First, God gave us His Word—and we in America are blessed and privileged to have unlimited access to Bibles. In fact, unlike many parts of the world, we’re a click away from having any Bible in our favorite translation, format, even color. In the Bible, we can read the full redemption story from Genesis through Revelation, with ample instruction (especially from Matthew’s gospel forward), on how to live out our Christian walk. Next—and this is an astounding reality—the Lord has placed the Holy Spirit inside us at the moment of salvation. We have the Third Person of the Trinity Himself living in us to guide, counsel, and convict us as we move toward our ultimate Home.

See, so simple! But easy? Nope. As saved fallen people, we still battle against our fleshly desires—we’re not slaves to them anymore, praise the Lord, but that dog is still within us until we’re glorified with Christ (Romans 7:15-20; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11). And there are all those broken, lost people around us with whom we interact daily. Just driving these days gives one enough fodder for murderous hatred in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22). Then there’s the enemy of our soul, Satan, always prowling around like a lion, seeking an opportunity to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), to kill, steal, and destroy all that the Lord is doing in our life (John 10:10). 

So, we have the how. What we need is a solid “why” to follow hard after Jesus. Have you given thought to your Christ-following impetus? Do you obey the Word of God like it’s a set of rules needing to be checked off—can I get a witness, all you list-making, rule-following perfectionists? Or does fear motivate you—trepidation that you must do the right thing “or else” there’s chastisement or punishment sure to follow? And, although this is a longer devo-conversation than we have time for here, some of us walk in obedience to God to “earn” the salvation that is a blood-bought, grace-given, by-faith gift (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Since becoming a believer nearly 30 years ago, Matthew 5:16 has been one of my go-to verses. I love its clear simplicity. As a follower of Christ, you and I are to shine! To be salt and light in this decaying, dark world. (See previously noted how-to guidelines.) And what’s really cool about this verse is the why—our motivation—is right there…in just two little words: so that. Now, we’re in a bit of a pickle if we just read the phrase immediately following: “that they may see your good works”. Throughout His ministry, Jesus goes after the Pharisees for doing good works to be noticed by others, motivated by the accolades of men (see the whole Sermon on the Mount, for example). The Apostle Paul also exhorts us to not care about what others think about us, but to do all things for the Audience of One (verse). It’s the last part of the verse that ties together the whole why: “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

There it is! The very reason for our obedience to Jesus. The motivation to follow Him, to love God with our all and love others. Our objective is to point others to the Lord—to live in such a way, through our blessings, trials, and downright dark times, that people around us would say, “I’m not sure what’s up with you…but I want to know the reason for your hope, joy, and faith” (1 Peter 3:13-15). As believers, when we love others, it’s because God first loved us. When we extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness, it’s out of an overflow of the grace, mercy, and forgiveness we’ve been given through Christ. And every word and each action that reflects Jesus, gives glory to God. So, as we wake up each day in this world but on our way to the next, let’s make glorifying God our joy-filled, shout-it-from-the-rooftops “so that”.

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the Holy Spirit living in me. May I joyfully follow after Jesus to give You glory and point others to You.”