The Light of the World

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. Pause and feel the weight of that for a moment. There are souls languishing in darkness and you are God’s rescue plan. You are the light.

At the time Jesus spoke these now famous words they used small oil lamps to light their homes. They would light the small lamp and they would place it on a stand to elevate it and maximize the light it could give to everyone in the house. Jesus’ point is that you should let your light shine before men so they may see your good deeds and glorify God in Heaven.  

God wouldn’t have called you to be a light if He didn’t have a lamp stand to set you on. He will put you in situations that allow other people to see you shine. So shine! Be the same person in front of believers and unbelievers. Act the same all the time. Don’t dim your light to make unbelievers more comfortable. Don’t hide your light. Don’t be embarrassed to be a good person and do good things. Don’t hide your compassion or kindness. Do good openly not to get credit or glory or yourself but so God can be glorified.

When you do that, when your life is demonstrably good and everyone can see how you serve those around you, then your life will be a light for everyone. Sure! Some will reject you. They may even persecute you for shining your light in their eyes. But they will have seen the light all the same and you will have done your job. They won’t be left without a witness and God will receive the glory. So shine your light today, believer. Bring glory to God.