I've been reading Matthew chapter 5 this week, and I have been soaking up the passage that speaks of us being light. Actually, all throughout the New Testament there is a comparison between followers of Christ and the light. In Ephesians chapter 5, it talks about “living in the light.” In Romans 13, we hear “put on the armor of light,” and “walk in the light.” It’s almost as if scripture is obsessed with getting this message across to believers in Christ. It’s crucial to see the gospel the way Christ did when he spoke to those around Him.
We have a tendency to view the Gospel as a “cause” or an agenda. But it’s much bigger than this. There are countless causes going on all across the planet. Any given day, you can sign up for hundreds of causes; some great, some bad. There’s global awareness causes, humanitarian causes, and religious causes going on all around us. But the Gospel of Christ is much more. The Gospel is literally the fantastic news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. And when Jesus spoke, he was asking people to do more than just sign up for something.
Jesus says it this way: “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5)
If you’re a follower of Christ, your greatest witness to the world is that you would be light. Not that you’d be the most eloquent speaker or the most poetic musician; but that you would literally carry the light of Christ to the world. Most people in this world will not come to know Christ by randomly picking up a Bible; they won’t receive Christ by going into a church building on a whim. However, your light…your actions…your love…your compassion…can lead them to the Savior. You have the huge responsibility of being light in a darkened world.
A few times a year, the electricity in our home will go out due to some nearby storm. It’s always so frustrating trying to find candles and flashlights at night. But when the electricity returns, the entire house comes alive. There is always sudden relief when the light returns to my house.
When you are the light to the world, there is relief and you are literally taking Christ to those around you. Let your light shine before others. In doing so, they will see your Heavenly Father.
Article by Aaron Ivey of Spur56 for MusicFaith
