33 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
I love the way Jesus states the above verse in Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount: 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 (NIV) A light is meant to shine and give direction, radiating and pointing others to the proper path. So how are we doing with this command? Does the light within our lives point others to the proper path or does it lead them to spiral down heading into a world of darkness and depravity? I am reminded of the Prophet Jeremiah’s words: 16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' Jer 6:16 (NIV)
The prophets of old were like watchmen, those assigned to watch for and warn a city of impending danger. Carrying the light to his day, Jeremiah urges the people to walk in the good way so that they would find rest for their souls. Believers today have much the same job. We are to carry the light of Christ to those living in darkness being faithful to this task and leaving the results up to God. Jesus tells us in John: 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (NIV)
Paul tells us in Ephesians: 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. Eph 5:8-14 (NIV)
Our behavior as believers should correspond with our positions as children of the King. We are no longer to live in darkness, gratifying the desires of our sinful nature, but rather we are to walk in the light as He is in the light. The sinful nature is contrary to the Spirit. As we live according to the Spirit, we will manifest Jesus to others. Scripture gives us insight to the Spirit’s fruit: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25 (NIV)
Ultimately, this “fruit” is the life of Christ fleshed out in a Christian through the power of His Holy Spirit and propelled by His love for us. Paul states in 2 Corinthians: 14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor 5:14-15 (NIV)
Paul lived the way he lived because Christ lived the way He lived, demonstrating to us a wonderful example of I John 2:6:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Remember what Jesus said: 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“Our great honor lies in being just what Jesus was and is. What greater glory could come to any man?” A.W. Tozer We shine our lights so that others will see our good deeds and glorify God – not us! The light points to Christ alone. “Earth’s truest heroes hold their lives lightly, ready to peril all for other’s gain. Thinking but little of the joy hereafter, only absorbed in soothing this world’s pain.”