Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
–Matthew 5:16
Throughout the Bible, we find the theme of walking in Christ. For example, in Ephesians 4:1, Paul said, “I . . . implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” In 1 John 2:6, the apostle John wrote, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
Why does the Bible place such an emphasis on walking in Christ? Let me point out two benefits of patterning your life after that of Jesus Christ.
First of all, walking in Christ results in a fulfilling life. God’s principles about your family life, finances, and moral purity were given not to restrict your happiness but to enhance your happiness. God is not a cosmic killjoy who is trying to make your life miserable. He loves you, and the Bible is His instruction manual for experiencing life to the fullest.
As a pastor, I see the truthfulness of God’s Word played out every day. I encounter Christians who have ignored what the Bible says about marriage or money, yet they wonder why their lives are engulfed by heartache. I see other Christians who follow the principles in God’s Word, and their lives are marked by stability, consistency, and productivity. If you want a truly fulfilling life, you will walk in Christ.
Second, walking in Christ serves as a positive witness to others. When you live according to God’s standard, you bring glory to God. The word “glory” in the Bible literally means “heavy.” When Christians live according to God’s Word, it makes God look heavy, substantive, and worthy of worship. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” There is nothing wrong with letting people see your good works as long as you deflect the glory to God. Nothing brings glory to God more than when Christians walk according to the principles of God’s Word.
