“Ye are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
Dear Ones:
The calling of the Christian is a most extraordinary one. It is one whereby God has entrusted His glory to the person who will truly believe in Him, live according to the truth, and let that light of LIFE shine powerfully before men. Why would we consider this matter to be so very important? The answer resides in two truths. The first is that without “light,” there is darkness. That light is not only the truth of God, but the very LIFE of God in Christ. Secondly, the “light” is fundamental to all life, both temporal, and eternal. The physical, limited existence of man is dependent upon the light of the sun. Spiritual life, eternal Life, is absolutely dependent upon Him who has declared Himself to BE the “light of the world.” Here we have the eternal God entrusting to the believer the knowledge of truth of God, and our existence. But we have also, the very life and power of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, which IS the testimony, confirmation, and revelation of that which is of God, both in meaning or purpose, and the manner in which we are to live. So then, with such a high calling and purpose, how are we to live?
The Lord Jesus uses the example of a city to represent the corporate testimony of WHO God is, and His plan for man. But this analogy applies also to the individual, for in a very real way, he or she IS a city, the very temple of God, in and through which He desires and wills to reveal His existence, presence, and power to the world. The Christian is that one who has been called, not to hide the testimony of God, but to lift it up bravely, and boldly, in order to give light to those who sit in darkness. The Lord adds, “…and it gives light unto all that are in the house.” (Matt. 5:15) How is this to be so and to be lived?
God has placed all of us in a certain place at a certain time. Each believer is unique, as is their sphere of influence. The phrase, “…in the house” pertains to the extent of that influence. The Lord then goes straight to the heart of the matter by revealing His purpose: “Let your light so shine before men…that they may SEE your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (v.16) Is the Lord calling us to live “before men” in the sense that we live subject to the praise or blame of men? No. But He is speaking of opportunity, an opportunity to walk with God, and in such a manner by the Spirit, that the Light of the world, the truth and Life of Christ, that aroma of Christ, will be known wherever we go, being revealed in all that we do. Paul sums it up when he writes to the Colossians: “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” (3:17) He compliments this by later writing: “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (3:23) The Christian is called to so walk with God, before Him by the Spirit, that Christ, in all that we say and do, is honored, loved, and exalted. It is then that this “Light” in our hearts, will burn brightly wherever we go, permeating all that we do and say. Then, we shall BE cities set on hills, giving light, the knowledge of the truth, and the Life, to all in the sphere of our influence.
Dear Father, give us to attend to the first thing of communion with Thee, in the quiet aloneness of Your presence, that we shall be enabled to go forth into the world, into the place of Your choosing, there to shine for Thee. Give us so to abide in Thy Son, that He may abide in us. Then the world will taste and see that the Lord is good. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad