I am a Jesus pusher! “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Shining your light includes behavior, attitudes, thought processes, responses, and actions. The entire shape of one’s life will be “fathered” by Jesus! The “light” that must “shine before men” is not contained in a deed but the tone, attitude, and shape of those deeds. We do not define sin in terms of a deed; we do not define “light” in terms of a deed. The act of giving a cup of cold water does not in itself shine the light of the Father, but giving it in the name and embrace of Jesus does (Matthew 10:42). It is not the activity of such a deed, but the flow of God’s Spirit through the believer demonstrates the “light” to the little one.
The life of Jesus convinces us of this truth. While the Jews considered God their Father, Jesus put new content to it. He even used the word “Abba.” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the greatest trial of His life. Facing His agony of suffering and death, He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). The Greek word “Abba” is transliterated from the Aramaic language. In the New Testament, “Abba” addresses only God. It is always followed immediately by the translation, “Father” (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). This double expression was common in the early church. Here is the tone of the “light” shining through the Kingdom child! I am a Jesus pusher!