“14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” (Matt. 5:14-15)

Jesus Christ told His disciples that they are the light of the world. This statement was not a mere compliment from our Lord and Savior. Jesus was setting a standard for His disciples to live by. This same concept of being light is used elsewhere in the Bible to describe God the Father and Jesus Christ. 

In John 1:6-9, the apostle John declared that Jesus is the true Light. This is the same Greek word Jesus used for light to describe His disciples. Jesus also declared that He is the light of the world in John 8:12. In this declaration, Jesus includes that anyone who follows Him (Christians) will not walk in darkness. Those who are truly following Jesus will have light because He is the light of the world. 

Read John 9:5. Jesus showed that He is the light of the world as long as He is in the world. Christians become the light of the world if they are walking in the light of Jesus Christ. Look at Jesus’ words in John 12:35-36. Believing in the light (Jesus Christ) will make you a child of light. Also read verses 44-46. Believing on Jesus is actually believing on the Father. Jesus came as the light that points to the Father. If we truly believe Jesus, we cannot abide in darkness. If we aren’t abiding in darkness, then we are abiding in light as the children of light. 

The apostle John made it plain that all of this points back to God the Father (I John 1:5). We cannot walk in darkness and have fellowship with God or other Christians (verses 6-7). 

God has called us to be His children. As He is light, we are adopted to be the children of light (Rom. 8:14-16; Eph 5:8). Reread Matt. 5:14-15. God is not calling people to be light just to hide that light. He wants His children to be light unto all!!

Let Your Light Shine 

Matt. 5:16 is a command from the Lord Jesus Christ, not a suggestion. Christians must learn to identify explicit commands and practice obedience. This command says we must let our light shine before men. Remember as a Christian, you are walking in the light of Jesus Christ who is pointing to the light of the Father. The light in you should point back to God the Father!

What is your light? Your light is who you are and what you do. Look at what Jesus says about John the baptist in John 5:33-35. Jesus called John a burning and shining light. This is who John was. Also look at Matt. 11:11. John was a burning and shining light because of his relationship with God. John reproved the works of darkness and showed people the way to God (Luke 3:3,7-14; Matt. 21:32). John was a man who lived righteousness and admonished others to turn to God. 

Notice what Paul said to the Ephesians in Eph. 5:8-14. Most of us are not born like John. We, like the Ephesians, have walked in darkness at some point in our lives. God has called us to walk in this world as children of light. This means walking in the fruit of the Spirit which is rooted in goodness, righteousness, and truth. We have to come out of darkness and have no fellowship with its unfruitful works. Paul says we must reprove the works of darkness. This is not to be done by words; it is accomplished through deeds (reread verses 11-13). 

Peter describes it as being a royal priesthood that shows forth the praises of the One who has called us out of darkness into His light (I Pet. 2:9) Who we are and what we do should point to God the Father. Notice what Peter says in I Pet. 2:11-12. 

Note that the word translated as conversation does not merely mean how we communicate. The meaning of the Greek word means behavior which includes how we talk. As Christians, our behavior is to be honest among nonbelievers even if they speak of us as evil or immoral. Why? “That.. they may by your good works… glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Peter is referring to prophecies mentioned by Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, and Micah. They discuss a day(s) of visitation. Typically, this term refers to the time when God will cause someone to receive the consequences of his evil deeds. If our behavior is honest, then some of the nonbelievers will glorify God when their sins are visited upon them. 

Also notice the phrase “which they shall behold.” Remember, Jesus said light is not meant to be hidden. If you are living and walking in the light of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, then your works will not be hidden to men. Your behavior should point to God. It should make God and His way of life look good. 

Please reread Matt. 5:16. Your light is your good works being seen by men. It is not your light that is shining, rather it’s the light you have received through Jesus Christ. It is not your works that men see, but it is the works that God has laid out for you to walk in (Eph. 2:10). But if we refuse to walk in the works He has ordained for us, how will nonbelievers see His light and give Him glory?

Nonbelievers criticise the professing Christian world because of their deeds. True believers differentiate themselves by living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Real Christians bring praise to God through their works, while false Christians give occasion for nonbelievers to blaspheme our great God. 

Do not allow anyone to trick you into believing that works are unnecessary. This is contrary to the very purpose of the Book of the ACTS of the Apostles. It is a misinterpretation of the writings of Paul that causes people to regulate their Christianity to the comfort of their homes and “church” buildings. Faith without works is dead (Jam. 2:17). Paul actually taught that our faith establishes the law (Rom. 3:31). 

Christians do not do good works to be saved. Christians do good works to show forth the praises of Him who called them out of darkness (I Pet. 2:9). God has decided to show forth His light through His servants. Your job is to believe Jesus and live by His sayings. In doing so, you display the light of God just as Jesus did. In doing so, you give people a reason to glorify God just as Jesus did. Honor the Father in words and deeds. And leave the convicting of hearts to Him.