BEING THE LIGHT!

BEING THE LIGHT!

Matt 5:14-16

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.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

         Light makes vision possible! Jesus did not simply command that we should be the light of the world; He simply stated the situation as a fact. Once we trusted Christ as Savior, as part of the package, we became the light. We became that which makes vision possible for those in darkness.

         It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. The world is not a friend to God or to His people. There is conflict between us and the world because we are different. We have different values, goals and attitudes. The world praises pride while we are told to be humble. The world endorses sin and offers excuses while we strive to be pure. Our own struggles against wrong shines a light of discovery upon those who live carelessly.

         Being the light brings with it responsibility. Jesus pointed out that nobody lights a light and then hides that light under a bushel basket or under the bed. The reasons are self evident. Light reveals obstacles in our way and keeps us from falling. There is a light in our food pantry for obvious reasons. Without the light the darkness would prevent us from choosing the right product from the shelves. Light reveals things as they are so that we may discern the good from the bad. Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).

         We feel the weight of this responsibility. We feel it is our responsibility to win the world but please read verse 16 again! Our primary responsibility is to glorify the Father.

Dear Lord, when my light seems dim, help me to trim my wick so that you might be glorified. AMEN