In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

For Meditation

Isn’t it a great honor to be called the light of the world?

“You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).

Think about it. I did not say that. Jesus said it. So, you know it is true—that is who you are. The light of the world. That is a tremendous responsibility. Let your electricity company take out the power in your area in the night and see how dark and paralyzed your life becomes. You will realize the importance of light in your life. For darkness is blindness that takes away the beauty of creation that leads to knowledge of its Creator and Designer. Just as light from the electricity company drives away darkness and makes us see, children of God who are the light of the world dispel the darkness of sin wherever they go. They bring light through righteous living, and teaching which brings exposure to sin. Therefore, when Jesus says you are the light of the world, it is an enormous responsibility.

The good thing is that it is an honor to be called the light of the world. For Jesus himself is the light of the world (Jn. 6:12). That makes you His instrument to shine forth His light. It takes the burden from you. You do not generate the light. Jesus is the source of the light in you. Your responsibility is to let Him shine through you—to open your heart and let Christ reveal the glory of God through you to the world around you. Isn’t that the highest privilege from heaven to you?

The entire world is in darkness right now. Chaos and confusion, uncertainty and fear, tyranny and oppression, poverty, and deprivation. That is what sin has done to the world. If ever the world needed the light of God, the glory of His Majesty, it is now. And that is our responsibility as children of God in Christ. He has made us the light to this world to dispel the darkness and gloom from where we are. To display the glory of God through our lives (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6). To live Christ out for the world to see the filth around them and call on Jesus to cleanse them from its contamination.

That is our responsibility as we step out today—to bring Christ into every situation and environment His Spirit leads us into. You will not be where you will be today for nothing. God has a purpose for you in that situation. So, let Christ shine through you for the accomplishment of His purpose, and for glory to rise to Him (1 Cor. 10:31).

Are you up to the task?