YOU ARE LIGHT
Matthew 5:14-16

Can you imagine what the world would be like if there was no longer any light?  There is such a helpless feeling in the midst of darkness.  You know how the panic sets in when a thunderstorm knocks out the power in the middle of the night and you are left with no light.  So, you stumble around in the darkness to find those candles you had put away from Christmas, only to find them but not find a match with which to light them.

Light is one of the most common illustrations which Jesus used to describe the influence which He desired His followers to have upon the world.  I am reminded of these words from John’s gospel:  This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God  (John 3:19-21).

As John proclaims, the world is shrouded in thick darkness, a darkness of its own creation because it has turned its back upon the truths of Christ.  Paul reminded the Ephesians believers that they once were darkness, but now they were light in the Lord; therefore, they were to live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). 

How does a person live like a light?  Jesus gives us the answer with these words:  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven  (Matthew 5:16).  Our light is manifest in our good deeds performed in such a way that attention is focused, not upon us, but upon Jesus Christ.  These good deeds can serve as a guide for others, leading them into the light.  They can also serve as a warning to others, exposing their wrong doing.  The old proverb that states we are the only Bible that many people will read, is so very true.  Others are watching what we do and say.  What an awesome responsibility!

In closing this brief study over this text, I draw three conclusions.  First, all believers are included here.  Friends, it is you and I who are to be salt and light.  Second, all believers already are salt and light.  This is a statement of fact and not a command.  This is a statement of being rather than of doing.  The question we need to ask ourselves is:  What kind of salt and light are we?  Finally, the church and the world are distinct communities.  We need to be careful not to blur this distinction.  Our sphere of influence is to be the world.  To be successful we must remember that an influence must be different from that which it seeks to influence.  It is time that we take a stand for what is true, good, and decent.

Father, at times, we confess, our lights do not shine as brightly for You as we would like.  The cares of the world cause the voltage to diminish and the power of our light is dimmed.  Help us to take our stand for Christ, even if it might mean being persecuted, so that our light will shine forth brightly into the darkness.  For this we will give You thanks.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen. 

 

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