You are the light
of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 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. 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
5:15-16
Can you imagine what life would be like without "light?" Groping in the darkness is a scary thing to
almost anyone. Even familiar
surroundings can seem frightening when you are in total darkness. Insecurity and fear are strong emotions in
the darkness. The Bible refers to our
world without Christ as living in the darkness and in need of light. Paul spoke of the darkness of this world as
where we were without Christ. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and
transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13
All light is able to be traced to a source. As believers, we are not the source of the
light but the vessel for the light.
Scripture speaks clearly about Christ bringing light into a darkened
world. John spoke of the incarnation as
the coming of light when he said, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
Christ spoke of Himself as source of light for the world. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
John 8:12 Clearly, we bear the light within our lives
that has been born in us through Christ.
The Light Identifies
Matthew
5:14-16 You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Our identity in Christ Jesus is not to be a hidden identity but one that
is to been seen by all. Consider these scriptures which remind us of who we are
because of Whose we are:
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you
may become sons of light. These things Jesus spoke, and
departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:36
You are all sons of light and sons of
the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 1 Thessalonians
5:5
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the
Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8
The beginning of our being a light that transforms the darkness is to
see the light in ourselves…to let Christ’s light shine in us that He might
shine through us. The scripture does not
say we “might be the light” or that we “can be the light”; it says “we ARE the
light.” That is because the light of
Christ burns inside us. It’s not always
easy being a light in the darkness. Tim
Goble said, “It's tough to be in the dark and not let the dark get in
you. The unending struggle for the
Christian is to walk in the light and at the same time keep moving into the
shadows.” But is there that we are to shine.
So, set out today and let’s all sing
together, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
Scripture to Claim:
For You light my
lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. Psalms 18:28
