Have we seen a little light glowing from a far distant place? Even if it is far enough, the light can still be seen. That’s how powerful a light is. It glows and can be seen even at far especially in the dark. When we look at the universe, the space is dark, but the countless stars made the sky bright enough to see what’s within and beyond.
Jesus says, Mat 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all. And a burning light is not put under a vessel, but on its table; so that its rays may be shining on all who are in the house. Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Being the light of the world takes a lot of responsibility. We need to keep the light on so that it always glow for the glory of God. How can a person be a light of this world? Are all people light of the world? Who are the light of the world mentioned by Jesus in this verses? It is very clear that Jesus is talking to His Disciples here. Jesus says, Joh 8:12 Then again Jesus said to them, I am the light of the world; he who comes with me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life. Therefore, anyone who comes to Him will have the light of life and the Apostles since they received and believed in Him, becomes the bearer of the light also.
Can we hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? It’s light can be seen for miles. If we receive the light from Christ, and we live for Him, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.
How do we hide the light?
We hide the light by (1) being quiet when we should speak – it is our duty to propagate the words of God. Some Christians might say that it is not their duty to preach since they are not called to be preachers. Everyone is a co-worker to Christ. Every one has a duty to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apostle Peter made clear that all who were called unto the church of God have duties to make offerings of spirit pleasing to God. What pleases more to God is to see us bearing the light of this world, which is His words. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119: 105)
1Pe 2:5 You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven.
1Pe 2:10 In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.
We hide the light by (2) going along with the crowd – those who were called by God to be the light of the world are new creations. They live a different life now that they have accepted to be the bearer of the light. The light will only glow if they go against the flow of this world. Apostle Paul says, do not conform to this world, that is, we need to be different in many ways with the behavior of this world. The world has been deceived by the god of this world and many people are following his ways. As children of the living God, we need to change and renew our mind, and that we must be transformed in ways according to the perfect will of God.
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Apostle Peter also made an advise not to be entangled again with the wickedness of this world since we have already escaped from them. 2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
We hide the light by (3) denying the light – that is, if we truly accepted God, and we believe that we are the bearers of His light, therefore, we should not deny the words of God by not walking on it. We have to walk the talk. If we say we love God but we hate others, the love is not on us and we are lying to Him, and this is an example that we are denying the light. If we are not practicing what we preach, then we deny the light in us. If we deny the light – it will not shine nor glow.
We hide the light by (4) letting sin dim our light – as we have said, we already escaped the sinful ways of our being. We have already abandoned that wicked stage of our lives. If we let sin enter our lives again, it will cause the light in us to dim and eventually turn off. Remember, we can not share both the light and the darkness. We can not live a holy life and at the same time still tied up with our sins. We have to let go of that sin by totally committing ourselves to be the bearer of God’s light.
Let us all be a beacon of truth. Don’t shut off the light that is within us, so that the world will see that there is still hope for humanity to save us from the darkness of this race.
Church of God in Christ Jesus 