In Matthew’s gospel, as part of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said to his followers, “You are the light of the world.” Our Lord could not have paid Christians a higher compliment. For he also said in John’s gospel, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus expected his followers then, and his disciples now, to be what he himself claimed to be — light.
Don KirklandWe must clearly understand one thing, however: The radiance given off by Christians is borrowed light. We do not, because we cannot, kindle our own light. It is God who lights our lamps, and the resulting spiritual glow is nothing less and nothing more than the shining of Christ himself from within us.
By its very nature, light is meant to be seen by others. Otherwise, it would serve no purpose. Likewise, our Christianity must be visible to others or it is not Christianity at all. Someone has written, “There is no such thing as secret discipleship. Either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy.”
If it is required that our Christianity, our light be visible, it must be seen not only within the church, but also beyond it — in the ordinary, day-to-day activities of the world.
The light of Christ in us must be evident in the way we treat the people who work behind the counters in stores where we shop, in the way we order our meals in restaurants, in our attitudes and actions toward fellow employees, in the way that we play our games and in the way that we drive our cars. It must be demonstrated in our use of language each day, and in what we read, watch and listen to for entertainment.
As light in the world, Christians assume the role of guides to make the way clear for others. We ought to be seen as channels of goodness in society, taking stands that serve as examples for some who are more timid or less courageous to follow.
Believers giving off light from the Christ within must also be prepared, when it is necessary, to sound a warning for others, to say “stop” when danger lies ahead. Such warnings should be given in a way that does good rather than harm. I heard of a respected teacher and school principal who, when she had to correct her students or “set them straight,” did so with her arm around them. Warning signals issued by children of light must not be given in anger or irritation, not in criticism nor with the desire to hurt. They must be given in love.
The light of Christ reflected in our daily lives must be visible, it must guide and it must, at times, warn — and for a single purpose, that “others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”
“You are the light of the world.” What a high compliment indeed. What a demanding and humbling responsibility. What a divine opportunity.
“Hide it under a bushel, no, I’m gonna let it shine.” Hide it? No.