Shine His Light

Passage of Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

(14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

This passage of scripture speaks to me in many ways. It reminds me of my responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to control my life in such a way that all those around me see the light of Jesus Christ in the way I live my life.

My behavior, my speech, my thoughts and actions should all bring glory and honor to God. God chooses to reach the lost through His children. He puts the love of Christ in our hearts and minds through the indwelling Spirit He gives us when we turn our lives over to the control of Christ. When this happens we glow from this Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit shines out of each of us. Just like a city on the top of a hill, at night you can see the glow from the lights inside that city for miles and miles. We too should be the same way. In verse 16 it says LET your light so shine. This tells me that the choice whether to shine or not is ours. The Holy Spirit wants to shine through us, but unless we choose to obey the Spirit, and not the old nature still within us, the Spirit within us will be squelched.

It's silly to light a lamp and put it under a basket isn't it? But many of us Christians do that every day of our lives. Christ Spirit within us is wanting to reach people, to touch people, and love people, but we have the love of Christ buried deep under a basket, instead of out in the open where it can lead people to see clearly the way to the Lord.
When I walk into a dark room, I'm very cautious. I walk very slowly and carefully as not to stumble and fall. As I desperately try to see my way, I'm troubled with the fact that I'm lost or so at least to some degree blind to what's ahead of me. Then when I turn on the light, I immediately relax. I can move freely about the room without fear of stumbling and getting hurt. I'm confident to walk around and I feel safe!

This is the exact same way we feel with the light of Jesus in our lives. We feel confident, we feel safe, we can see clearly, we are free (forever) eternal life sets us free! But the shame of it all is that even though we are free, do we really live as free men? Do we walk with confidence, or fear every day? Are we displaying the freedom that only Christ can give us from the bondage of sin, or do we choose not to let the light shine from us?
The good news! If you have Christ in your life and you do choose to let the light of Jesus shine through you to others, verse 16 tells us that those that see your works (works of the Spirit) will also glorify your Father in heaven. The only way for anyone to glorify God is to know Him and obey Him. So this verse essentially tells us that those in your house (your family, or anyone for that matter) that are lost, can come to know Christ and be saved, because they see the light of Jesus (His Spirit) in the way you live your life. They see Jesus in you!

Final thoughts... are you letting the light of Jesus shine through you while you are at work, with the kids, with your parents or while at school? Remember, Jesus is waiting to reach the lost through you. Are you helping to build God's kingdom? Make a choice to do so today.

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for the times that I do not allow the Spirit within me to control my life. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading. May you use me to be a light in this dark world. May you use me in a way that will light the way to a relationship with You. Please Lord, always remind me of this responsibility for which You have given me, and may I be a good steward of the Spirit You have given me. Thank You for using me in the past and for what You are going to do through me in the future. May You get all the glory and honor, and may my life be a blessing to others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.