The Word Given: You Are the Light of the World
Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are not meant to live out of sight.
Why do we hide it? What reasons can we attribute to remaining silent and hiding the light? Here are a few things we need to consider:
Recognizing the value and goodness of what we have and the need of it in the world?
Overcoming the desire to be accepted by peers and strangers?
Seeing the urgency in the world's circumstances?
Getting a firm grasp on the commandments of Christ?
Learning to live in the simulated compassion of Jesus?
Prioritizing obedience.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. We desperately need Holy Spirit guidance.
A city on a hill is seen by everyone who approaches it. A city is a confluence of activity. Commerce, connections, people, lights at night, activity in the day. The idea is absurd that it could be hidden.
We are compared to something that cannot be hidden, yet we work pretty hard to do just that! I believe this statement was meant for American Christians. We must learn that the world NEEDS to see our city! It needs to see us!
Remember, our number one priority as God’s people is to point everything towards Him. If we see that, we should be billboard signs of Him everywhere we go. We have to take our lamps out from under our proverbial baskets and let the world see who we are and therefore cause them to see Him.
