“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 (NIV)
Lights are meant to shine and give direction. As believers in Christ, we are to radiate His light pointing others to the proper path, which of course is sweet Jesus. Being filled with the brightness of the Savior, we bring His light and love to others – shining like the stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life, the Apostle Paul pens in Philippians 2:15B-16A. We are not to blend with the world by putting a basket over our lamps, instead we are to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine - letting others see Jesus in us.
This is no pretense. It is not something we manufacture or strum up. That would be a paste gem compared to the brilliant diamond of His glory. Indeed, the light we shine forth comes from being much with the Master, through His Word and through prayer. Luke tells us in Acts 4:13 (NIV): When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. And as Moses came down from the mountain after being much with God and his face shone so brightly that he had to cover it because the Israelites were terrified. When we spend much time with Jesus we do not remain the same. Indeed, those that shine the brightest are those that remain closest to the Fire, Amen? Those whose hearts burn brightly by developing a burning passion for the Scriptures and a great desire to share what has blessed them so. It is a God-enthralled life, a God-besotted life. A life captivated and changed by Jesus – burning brightly not as much with zeal rather with love for Him. People such as these do much for the advancement of the kingdom. They are winsome and wooing to be around – and they radiate divine love and peace. When we are exposed to those like this, there is no guessing what their greatest love is. It is quite obvious.
Those who have encountered the Light of the World are compelling. Christ’s light shines through them so brightly drawing others to Him like moths to lights. May we be such as these.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:3-9 (NIV)