Wednesday, November 10, 2021
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
Let Your Light Shine
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
The Source of the Light
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 Reveals Our Identity
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 be 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 your light shine that others may see Jesus in you.
