The word 'light' means a source of illumination. The first recorded words of God are 'Let there be light' (Gen.1:3). Thus light came into being by the direct command of God. It was acclaimed as good, and was divided from darkness.
It is significant that God who is light initiated His creative design with light. The full personal association of God with His creation began when the Second Person of the Trinity, the light of the world, became flesh and dwelt among us.
The English word 'world' is used in the Bible with various meanings. In this work, it will be narrowed to the Christian's responsibilities towards the world. Few of these responsibilities are; he is to remain in it (world) and let his light shine (Mt. 5:14), but not become part of it (Jn 17:15). It is his field of service (Mt. 13:38). The gospel is to be preached to the whole world (Mk. 14:9).
The phrase 'light of the world' for John the Baptist means that Christ is the true light, the real light, the ultimate light.
As the light that 'shineth in the darkness' He came for everyman, but many rejected the light while few accepted it.
Jesus' primary revelation of Himself as the light of the world was in His works and words. In John's Gospel chapter 13, Jesus' ministry is turned to His disciples (which extends to us) in private instruction.
We, like John the Baptist, are not the source of God's light, but we merely reflect the light. Jesus Christ is the true light, He helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way. Christ has chosen to reflect His light from his followers to an unbelieving world.
We as reflectors of Christ's light, are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but are always to point them to Christ, the Light.
We as believers can be a source through which He shines His Light on the world. I subtitle it 'being one for God'. The reflectors can show God's Light through the following ways;
Remember the saying of the psalmist, 'the Lord is my light and my salvation'. Fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately imprisons us in ourselves(Ps.27:1). Each of us has been a prisoner of fear at one point or another; fear of rejection, uncertainty, sickness, misunderstanding, or even death. Let us not let fear hinder God's Light from shining through us.
In the book of Isaiah 58:6-12, you will find there an admonition to share with the needy. As the reflectors of God's Light, we cannot be saved by works of service without faith in Christ, but our faith lacks sincerity if it does not reach out to others.
Fasting can be beneficial spiritually and physically, but at it's best it helps only the person doing it. God says he wants our services to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice and generosity. Pleasing God goes beyond what we do not eat and do not do; it is what we do for him and for others.
According to (I Corn.4:5), it is tempting to judge a fellow Christian, evaluating whether or not he or she is a good follower of Christ. But only God knows a person's heart, and he is the only one with the right to judge.
Paul's warning to the Corinthians should also warn us. We are to help those who are sinning (see 5:12-13), but must not judge who is a better servant for Christ. When you judge someone, you automatically consider yourself better, and this is pride.
In (John 8:12), Jesus called himself the Light of the world. He brings God's presence, protection and guidance. Is He the Light of your world ?
He also talked about those that follow him.
What does it mean to follow Christ ?
As a soldier follows his captain, so we should follow Christ, our commander. As a slave follows his master, so we should follow Christ, our Lord. As we follow the advice of a trusted counselor, so we should follow Jesus' commands to us. As we follow the laws of our nation, so we should follow the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven.
In conclusion, we can hide and shut our light respectively. According to (Mt.5:14-16), can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill ? The answer as we know is 'no'. It's light at night can be seen for miles. We hide our light by:
1. Being quiet.
2. Going along with the crowd.
3. Letting sin dim our light.
4. Not explaining our light to others.
5. Ignoring the needs of others.
We shut our light by our self through different channels, some of which are; complacency, resentment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedient could keep God's light from shinning through you to others.
If a lamp doesn't help people see, it is useless. Does your life show other people how to find God and how to live for him?
light is power. Thanks for talking about lighting.