Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Wow! That’s amazing. God calls us the light of the world. We may have been teased when young or even now. Bullies attempting to diminish us. Our parents would encourage us with positive descriptions of us. This is one that Jesus tells us. Granted, it’s Him that makes us the light. We have no ability in ourselves. Even so, God wants us to feel good about this. He wants to bless us.
How are we the light? When we are born again God gives a new nature. It’s one that seeks after God. It’s one that wants to love and to do His will. It’s one that is from Him. So is the light. Much like 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” We are that because of God.
When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are a container for Him who is light. If we walk with Him and deny ourselves then our lives are little about ourselves. If we are selfish and wrestle the Holy Spirit for control, then our lives are about ourselves. This is akin to drinking water out of a plastic container. The taste of plastic is present. When we are self driven then our lives aren’t clear vessels for the Holy Spirit to shine through. Our light is dim.
How do we emit this light? If our lives aren’t self driven, but given to Him, then His light shines. When we deny ourselves and love others and let them go first then God’s light shines. It’s a partnership. He is the light that shines through us, but when we love and forgive that is His light.
Does everyone see it? I would say no. It would be for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Those who would mock are blind to it. God protects His message that way. I would also say that God opens the eyes of others to see it when He wills.
I would say that we are completely unaware of this. We do feel His joy and His pleasure in us. So, maybe that is part of what they see, God’s joy. As we look at the fruit of the Spirit, we can feel much of that: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” That is probably also the light that shines.
Thank You, Lord, that You have made us light. Help us to yield to You so our selfishness doesn’t dim it.