Light Shines
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16, RSV.
You are the light of the world." That is an outstanding statement when you consider whom Jesus was talking to. He was not addressing the religious leaders--was not encouraging preachers or theologians. Instead He was speaking to the common people--those who were entirely unimportant from the world's perspective.
Such a statement should cause us to stand up and take note. It is a remarkable thing to be a Christian. Jesus did not say that the world's learned philosophers or political strategists were the light of the world, but you--Mr. or Mrs. or Miss Average Christian. A remarkable claim, to say the least.
Note once again the "you are." Christians are the light of the world by the very fact that they are Christians.
How is that so? Because a Christian by definition is one who knows Jesus. A Christian is one who understands the plan of salvation in Jesus, the very message the world needs to hear..
Every Christian is a light to help others find salvation in Jesus. And every Christian is a missionary to tell others of God's love and of His forgiveness in Jesus.
That means you. You are the light of the world--every day.
There are two ways we can go wrong in our light privilege. One is to hide our light. The other is to think that we are the real light. We can afford to be humble here. Jesus is the real light, the source of all light. He Himself is clear on the topic when He claims that "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
But we, in turn, are light because we reflect His light and are connected to the source of power. When we become disconnected, we lose our ability to shine and thereby slip outside the realm of Christianity. Our only safety is moment by moment to stay connected to our source of spiritual power.
The metaphors of salt and light share the missionary enterprise, but in differing manners. Salt works silently as it lives God's love in the community, while light is a visible force as it openly proclaims the gospel.
Lord, help me today to be Your light in a dark world. Bring someone into my life today who needs a glimpse of Your love.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16, RSV.
You are the light of the world." That is an outstanding statement when you consider whom Jesus was talking to. He was not addressing the religious leaders--was not encouraging preachers or theologians. Instead He was speaking to the common people--those who were entirely unimportant from the world's perspective.
Such a statement should cause us to stand up and take note. It is a remarkable thing to be a Christian. Jesus did not say that the world's learned philosophers or political strategists were the light of the world, but you--Mr. or Mrs. or Miss Average Christian. A remarkable claim, to say the least.
Note once again the "you are." Christians are the light of the world by the very fact that they are Christians.
How is that so? Because a Christian by definition is one who knows Jesus. A Christian is one who understands the plan of salvation in Jesus, the very message the world needs to hear..
Every Christian is a light to help others find salvation in Jesus. And every Christian is a missionary to tell others of God's love and of His forgiveness in Jesus.
That means you. You are the light of the world--every day.
There are two ways we can go wrong in our light privilege. One is to hide our light. The other is to think that we are the real light. We can afford to be humble here. Jesus is the real light, the source of all light. He Himself is clear on the topic when He claims that "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
But we, in turn, are light because we reflect His light and are connected to the source of power. When we become disconnected, we lose our ability to shine and thereby slip outside the realm of Christianity. Our only safety is moment by moment to stay connected to our source of spiritual power.
The metaphors of salt and light share the missionary enterprise, but in differing manners. Salt works silently as it lives God's love in the community, while light is a visible force as it openly proclaims the gospel.
Lord, help me today to be Your light in a dark world. Bring someone into my life today who needs a glimpse of Your love.
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