The light of the world

Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden 13 Nor do thes light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven".

In these verses, Jesus describes our function as God's people. In one word it is influence. When we live by the principles of the previous beatitudes we will have a profound influence on the world we live in. This is not the impact of government policy, but rather the influence of individual character. It is the influence that Jesus wrought upon His world in the first century. It is the influence of both doing and saying.

Jesus declared in John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" - (NIV).  In exactly the same choice of words, He states here that we (as His people) are the light of the world.

1. "You are the Light of the World" - This is one of those statements that should cause us to rejoice about our situation in the world. If we are the light of the world, then we must be "in the light" ourselves. It is a glorious thing to be living in the light, and not groping in darkness. Paul told the Ephesians "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord..." (Ephesians 5:8). He told the Colossians in Col 1:13 - "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love". But Jesus' words are designed to describe, not just our blessed position, but our serious responsibility. We not only have received the "light" of the gospel of Christ, we have become reflectors of that light. The world must see God in us, and through us. But if we are lights then we are meant to shine. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; you do not light a lamp and put it under a basket.
   God does not want us to isolate ourselves from the world, or hide out in a church building, feeling superior to others. We must be seen by others to fulfill our purpose as lights. But we must be careful here. This visibility is not about us. As God's people, Israel was the recipient of God's revelation. As "people of light" they were to let that light shine in the world. But their obedience was to point people toward God, not themselves. Matt 6:1-2 - "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward".
   
   
2. What is the purpose of our light? It is easy to list the number of things that physical light does for the environment. Our world could not exist without it. But the spiritual light that flows from the life of God's people has only one purpose - "that they (the world) may glorify your father who is in heaven".
   What does light do?
   • Light makes it possible for one to see where he is going and to miss the pitfalls. (John 8:12)
   • Light comes from some source of energy or power. Literally, it comes from fire, or from electric power, or from some other energy. Spiritually, it comes from God and Christ, the source of truth.
   • As long as an object is in contact with the proper source of energy it will continue to give forth light. As long as we are in proper contact with Christ, we will be able to let our light shine.
   • Light dispels darkness. Christ said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." (John 3:19-21)
   • Light and darkness cannot dwell together. Neither can one walk in light and darkness at the same time, spiritually.
   • Light attracts and gets attention. Even those who are evil are aware of the light. Those who want it are drawn to it.
   • Light is needed by all. Christ and His teaching are needed by all people everywhere. That is why Christ commanded the Apostles to take the gospel into all the world (Mark 16:15,16).
   • Light can be put out. A candle can be put out, an electric light bulb can be turned off. Also, the follower of Christ, who is a light for Christ in the world, can so conduct himself that his light ceases to shine. Can others see what God has done (or is doing) in you? If others cannot see the evidence of God's work, how will they appreciate and follow God?.
     
     
3. "Let your light so shine..."  - So what is this light that Jesus is describing that I must allow to shine in the darkness? How do I obey this command? The most powerful method of dispensing light is contained in the text itself: "That they may see your good works". Nothing points to God more clearly than doing good. God always does what is good - morally, ethically and practically. The most powerful list of "good works" that shine in a dark world are found in the context of Jesus' sermon itself. Jesus' list in the sermon on the Mount is summarized below:
   • Work on your heart first (5:21-28) - (every sin begins begin there)
   • Take sin seriously (5:29-30) - (pluck out your eye if you need to)
   • Keep your vows and stay married (5:31-32) - (God hates divorce)
   • Always tell the truth (5:33-37) - (your yes be yes, your no be no)
   • Do more than is expected of you (5:38-42) - (go the second mile)
   • Do good to those that hate you (5:43-48) - (If you love only those who love you...?)
   • Don't be a hypocrite (6:1-18) - (do not do it to be seen by others)
   • Seek spiritual things over the material things (6:19-24) - (Lay up treasures in heaven)
   • Don't worry, trust God (6:24-33) - (seek God and His righteousness FIRST)
   • Don't try to pick the speck out of your brother's eye if you have a log in yours (7:1-6)
   • Ask God for everything you need (7:7-12)
   • Follow the truth wherever it leads (7:13-23) - (the narrow way that few find)
   • Obey God's commands consistently (7:24-27) - (build your house on the rock)
     
     If I did this would the world notice me? This is the essence of light in a dark world. 1 Peter 2:11-12, 15 - "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. ... ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men".
     
     
4. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel..." - I want to close our consideration of this passage with a look at verse 15 - Jesus states the obvious. No one intentionally hides a lamp under a basket. It would defeat the purpose and plan of the light. This is the other half of Jesus implicit command: I must allow my light to shine by not allowing it to be hidden under a basket.
   
   Baskets that hide our light include: Hypocrisy, Fear, Worldliness or compromise, Rudeness, Self righteousness, Lack of joy, etc.

CONCLUSION
Is your light shining in this dark world? We are the light of the world, this is our purpose. If you are not a Christian you do not have God's light. My friend, if you have not been baptized then you are in darkness. I would therefore like to encourage you to obey God so that you can be a Christian and walk in the light and be a part of. 1 Peter 2:9-9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".

GOD BLESS YOU!