◄ What Does Matthew 5:14 Mean? ►

As members of Christ's Body, we are called to be salt and light in a darkened world that is sick, putrefying, and in need of Christ's healing, wholeness, light, and life. But in a world that is at enmity with God and has rejected the good news of the glorious gospel of Christ, this is no easy matter, and we are likely to come up against much resistance to our message of hope and personal rejection from our fellow-man, and even hatred, abuse, or death.

As children of God, we are meant to shine the light gospel of grace into a world that is steeped in the darkness of sin and condemnation. We are to be people who radiate the light of God's love and truth into the lives of those with whom we come in contact, even though our message will be rejected by many. Jesus Himself told us that in this world, we will have tribulation.

While He was on earth Jesus was the Light of the world. Today, we have been made His representatives and have been entrusted with the message of the gospel of grace; the ministry of reconciliation. We have been empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to shine forth truth and expose the evil works of darkness. We are called to intercede for sinner and saint alike, and are privileged to partner with our God and Saviour, by holding back the flood-waters of evil through prayer and supplication.

The apostle John urges each one of us to shine as a light while it is still day, because the dark night of sorrow is coming when no one can work. Similarly, Paul taught us that as children of the light we are working in partnership with the indwelling Spirit by resisting the evil one and exposing the evil works of darkness. It is through a life of holiness, empowered by the Spirit, that we proclaim the good news of the gospel of grace throughout the world.

We are not expected to hide our light under a bushel nor to turn a deaf ear to their pitiful state of the unsaved, for all are in need of salvation, and all need Christ for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. We are in the world, but we are not of it, and so our attitude and actions must show compassion toward those that are dying in their sins, while not being influenced by the prevailing gloom of this dark world-system.

Christ entrusted the Church with the privileged position of being His ambassadors on earth. He instructed us: "Let your light so shine before men, that the world may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."

As children of God who are born of the Spirit and washed in His blood, we have now become 'light in the Lord'. We are directed, as the Body of Christ, to shine the light of Christ into the world with our godly conduct, so that throughout our Christian life we may walk worthy of our calling as 'children of the light'.

All that we do and all that we are, should reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus for a special purpose so that our Heavenly Father may be glorified through our lives. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we should seek to do good. We should endeavour to be gentle, tender-hearted, gracious, and kind. We are entrusted to serve one other, forgiving one another, while reflecting the beautiful character of Jesus in all we do and say, for He is the Son of light. He is the Giver of life.

We should be like the moon reflecting the glorious light of the sun, diverting attention away from ourselves onto the lovely person of the Lord Jesus. We should let the light of our 'new life in Christ' shine steadily in the darkness of this world so that all who see us will catch a glimpse of Christ reflected in our lives, and recognise our heavenly calling, giving praise to God, our Father of lights.

God of light, and life, and peace, I bring before You a world that is ravaged by war and suffering, disaster and distress, through the actions and attitudes of selfish men. I pray that the light of Christ would illuminate a dark world that has chosen to turn its back on the One Who is the true Light of the world. Use me in the corner of the world where You have placed me, to bring the light, life, and love of Christ, to a hurting world. Keep me ever mindful that without You I can do nothing, but in the strength and power of Your Holy Spirit, I am enabled to act as Your hands, Your feet, and Your heart, to those in need. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.