Knowledge.3. That's not the way the Bible was written. Not only the honour but the progress of religion depend upon your examples. The hatred of men, the esteem and love of men, the unspeakable blessedness of seeing others led by our influence to worship God (ver. Maclaren, D. D.)The purity of example the primary care of the ChristianA. In like manner, if wherever you go you would sound out the music of your Christian experience, other hearts would respond to the melody, and your joy would be redoubled.Christian example must be free from inconsistencyThe visitor to a lighthouse is struck with the perfect cleanness of everything about the lantern or the lamps. Let our song be like that of the skylark, as he rises with dewy breast from his lowly earth-couch, singing as he soars, until, unseen in the deep blue above, he rains a shower of melody on the listening earth. Light is derived, and therefore humble.2. J. Wilmot Buxton., Dr. A. Barnes.1. By the exertions which we make for the conversion of our fellow men. 3. , D. D. Christian example leads to the discovery of Christian sympathy, Christian example must be free from inconsistency, God, not self, the end of Christian example, Christ shines into the world through the lives of His people, Men more ready to shine socially than morally, Th,e light to reveal the work, not the worker, The purity of example the primary care of the Christian. It attracts attention.IV. The traveller said, thoughtlessly it may be, "What if one of these burners should go out to-night? How does the matter stand between our profession and our conduct?(W. One day, Jesus had been working very hard. 3-10):III. THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS TO EXHIBIT THEIR LIGHT IN A GODLY CONVERSATION. )LinksMatthew 5:16 NIVMatthew 5:16 NLTMatthew 5:16 ESVMatthew 5:16 NASBMatthew 5:16 KJVMatthew 5:16 Bible AppsMatthew 5:16 ParallelMatthew 5:16 Biblia ParalelaMatthew 5:16 Chinese BibleMatthew 5:16 French BibleMatthew 5:16 German BibleMatthew 5:16 CommentariesBible Hub. Beecher., Sir William Dawes, Bart. , D. D.)Christian example leads to the discovery of Christian sympathyWhen the English minstrel went to seek for his master of the Lion Heart, he played everywhere the monarch's favourite tune, and was at length rewarded by hearing its notes sent feebly back to him from the prison wherein Richard was confined. But the principle guide in cases like these is not to be found so much in an external rule as in a spiritually enlightened discrimination, which feels instinctively when is the time for secrecy and when for publicity.How dangerous to our Christian modesty everything must be which takes off from the delicacy of our natural modesty.1. W. Wythe.1. Be consistent.4. The holy and exemplary lives of Christians will naturally attract the eyes of unbelievers. 3, 8, 12; Revelation 21:10). (Christian Age. 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. We can bury the light of the Word under cowardly and indifferent silence. It matters not though we be unseen, if but the light be clear; for then we are fulfilling the command.(W. so that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, according to HIS power that is at work within us. )Christian example a converting agencyAnecdotes.When Lord Peterborough lodged for s, season with Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray, he was so delighted with his piety and virtue, that he exclaimed at parting, "If I stay here any longer, I shall become a Christian in spite of myself."(Anecdotes. THE FACT THAT THERE IS A LIGHT POSSESSED BY CHRISTIANS WHICH PECULIARLY BELONGS TO THEM. It is the new, born-again life of Christ that we received when we were born from above, that carries out any good works that we do, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father Who is in heaven. How CAN MEN, THE CREATURES, BE SAID TO GLORIFY THE CREATOR? No, no! The holy and exemplary lives of Christians will be a sure means of recommending them to the favour and esteem, love and friendship, of unbelievers; and consequently a sure means of gaining opportunities of conversing familiarly with them, insinuating truth into them, and making them willing and easy to receive it.IV. Fraser, D. D., D. Fraser, D. D.(D. Fraser, D. D.)The figure of the house-lamp suggests domestic Christianity; that of the conspicuous city the more public and collective duty of Christians.(D. D. CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE. It is upon this state of facts that Christ ordained that men should carry their moral faculties up to the highest degree of excellence.IV. But the principle guide in cases like these is not to be found so much in an external rule as in a spiritually enlightened discrimination, which feels instinctively when is the time for secrecy and when for publicity.How dangerous to our Christian modesty everything must be which takes off from the delicacy of our natural modesty. In looking at a painted window, we think more of the artist and his picture than of the light. Taylor. M. Punshon.I. M. It was a dark world indeed when the light rose and streamed forth from Bethlehem (see Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:4, 5; 2 Corinthians 4:6). how Godlike was their employ. M. Taylor.Do you ever pause to think out how it is that our streets are nightly lighted up? )Spiritual modestyG. The greatest praise we cam bestow upon a religion is to practise it.(S. Their song, like that of the cuckoo, is a constant repetition of their own name, and the listener is wearied with its iteration. That is all you and I have to do — tend the light, and do not like cowards cover it up. Maclaren, D. D.ou. These were " burning and shining lights " in the darkness; these displayed the glory of the Saviour's love and power to save, in the very midst of Satan's empire.(F. We turn our eyes up to him and he rebukes us with darts of fire; he says, "Look down, not up: look at the works, not the worker." This rule may serve for some external direction in this perplexed case. If the light which you let shine in your profession be the true light, there will be good works to be seen. In the way of duty and obligation.(F. Science and religion need not be divided.II. "See your good works."III. When I was a lad, in my native town, I knew a painter there whose favourite works were all portraits of himself, taken in different costumes; and one of England's most famous poets produced a series of writings, in which his moody, misanthropic self was ever the central figure. Our Heavenly Father shall be glorified by the influence for good we thus exert over the minds of those who see our good works. By that discovery, to which we have been so long accustomed that we have ceased to reckon it wonderful. God is glorified by our repentance — faith — charity. Our mission is to enlighten the sphere in which we are placed, etc.(Dr. This light discloses God, the way to heaven, etc. As well as being tired, he was sad: he had just learned that his cousin John the Baptist had died. )Christian example an argument of weightAnecdotes., W. S. Dewstoe.A young minister, when about to be ordained, stated that at one period of his life he was nearly an infidel. Goode, M. And there are many who put such devices on the window, through which the light of their characters shines, that no beholder is ever moved to think of God. Men may see God through our works.(A. The bad is something interposed between the original creative design and the execution. Holiness of heart and life.3. Were the light to go out from my inattention, in six months news would arrive from every part of the coast, that such ships and crews were lost through my neglect! So we may feast our eyes upon a paradise of flowers, and get much of heaven out of it, but the moment we venture to say, "Who did this — where is he? The light that is in him will wax dim and incur great risk of going out, because it is shut up, and not set to burn on the lamp-stand,where the fresh air may reach and feed the flame.(D. You may have a window all covered with dust, and spun over with the cobwebs of spiders, that have not been disturbed for years, and the passer-by, in the darkness, will take no note of its impurity. We are naturally inclined to imitation.6. You may have a window all covered with dust, and spun over with the cobwebs of spiders, that have not been disturbed for years, and the passer-by, in the darkness, will take no note of its impurity. The REWARDS of a right discharge of our duties as true disciples. A. The holy and exemplary lives of Christians will so powerfully represent to unbelievers the reasonableness and excellency of the Christian religion, as well as the usefulness and advantage of it, towards the present and future happiness and well-being of mankind, that they will be led to examine into the grounds of it. Now, similarly, Christ is the hidden source and centre of the world's enlightenment; but Christians, united to Him by the spiritual tubing of faith, draw off from Him that influence by which they are enabled, each in his own place and in his own measure, to dispel some portion of the darkness by which they are surrounded.(W. The gas would be unavailable without the lamps; the lamps would be useless without the gas. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them." All be really addressed to God.3 must keep within the limits of his children.6 EFFECTUALLY done have been so accustomed. 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