Let Your Light Shine!

“You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

We are to let the light of Jesus within us shine forth! That light needs to shine first for our own households and then for whatever world is around us. We are to be both illustrious and conspicuous; signs and symbols from God to the lost and perishing. The treasure within us should ever illuminate our countenance; we are to be known as a light-radiating people. Jesus came as the light of the world so that those who would believe in Him would never walk in darkness but have the light of life. His light within us gives direction to others–pointing them to Jesus.

We must endeavor to walk circumspectly–as wise not as foolish–because of those around us who are watching. It is important how we live our lives! Sadly, many Christians live no differently than the unbelievers Jesus desires for us to reach. If the Lord Jesus makes no difference in our lives, why would anyone else be interested? Are we a reflection of His goodness and mercy and humility and kindness and gentleness and patience? Are we, as believers, as winsome and wooing as Jesus? Are we drawing others to Him by our actions rather than repelling them by our words and deeds? The candle lit by the Lord Jesus should never be hidden, but should shine forth to all those around us. We must be shining lights in the way we live, not muffling the message with obscurity and privacy. Paul tells us:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Peter adds:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)

And John wrote:

It is to our Father’s glory and for our good that we bear fruit, showing ourselves to be the Lord Jesus’ disciples. Jesus says in our verses for today that our deeds must be evident so that those who observe us will praise our Father in heaven. God’s glory is what we aim for in all that we say or do.

Take It to Heart

“Though salvation is not by the works of the law, yet the blessings which are promised to obedience are not denied to the faithful servants of God. The curses our Lord took away when He was made a curse for us, but no clause of blessing has been abrogated. We are to note and listen to the revealed will of the Lord, giving our attention not to portions of it but to ‘all these words.’ There must be no picking and choosing but an impartial respect to all that God has commanded. This is the road of blessedness for the Father and for His children. The Lord’s blessing is upon His chosen to the third and fourth generation. If they walk uprightly before Him, He will make all men know that they are a seed which the Lord has blessed.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)

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