Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The first word here is let. It indicates cooperation. A light shines in darkness, which is its purpose. The part of shining forth is a matter of cooperative performance. Jesus hinted to us about the effectiveness of obedience of faith in regards to this.

Matthew 6:21-23 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

What do you treasure? Jesus connected the light of the eye with the condition of the heart. Do you treasure Christ above all else? If the answer to that is yes, then your eye is single, there is no darkness in you and the light will shine outwardly to be seen by all you encounter.

If on the other hand you treasure attention, fame, rewards, titles, accolades, accumulation of wealth or anything of this world before Christ, then even if Christ dwells in you, that light is forced to shine upon the darkness in you. That prevents the light from shining outwardly.

The love of Christ will and must achieve a work in you before He can achieve a work through you.

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?