This Little Light of Mine...

November/10/2008 11:18 AM

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus says that we are the salt of the Earth. For the last two weeks, we have talked about what makes us salty and how staying that way builds the kingdom. There is something else that Jesus says we are; in the following verses he tells us that we are light.

Matthew 5:14, 16: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus also says in John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

It’s clear that since Jesus has physically left this earth, we are now His representatives or His ambassadors of light. He has passed the baton on to us! We can shine bright as we follow the example that He left for us as He walked the earth two thousand years ago. I would like to share with you four ways that we can be a light to our world:

1) Living right
2) Let Jesus use your mouth
3) Be lovers - not judgers
4) Walk the talk

Jesus lived a sinless life. The Bible says that He was tempted in every way that we are, yet he was without sin. For our light to truly shine, we need to live a pure life, not giving into sin. We choose to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh because we have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light!

Of course, Jesus is the only man in history that will ever be completely sinless. I am so thankful that He could be the spotless lamb sacrificed for the forgiveness of our sins! His sacrifice was final. His blood never loses it’s power! Glory! Even if we sin after we are born again, He has it covered!

I John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
In order to be a light in a world that is watching us, we must always strive to live a life pleasing to God.

Another way that we can be a light is to continually speak the truth of God’s Word to those around us. When Jesus came in contact with people, He spoke about the ways of the Father and how to get to Heaven. Jesus always took time to share, whether it was one person, like the rich young ruler, or whether it was a crowd of thousands. No matter where He went, Jesus told everyone about God’s love and about the path to eternal life.

Sometimes, the most difficult thing for us to do is to freely speak up and share with those who are lost. Often, we are so self-conscious and too concerned with what man will think of us. Truthfully, it only matters what God thinks of us. Imagine all of the precious ones who will make Heaven because of someone’s boldness in sharing God’s love! I know I am thankful for those who, with the love of God, stepped out of their comfort zone and reached out to me when I was a mess and so lost. Ask God for the help of the Holy Spirit and for boldness. He will help us! The Word says that the Holy Spirit is our comforter, teacher, guide and helper! Jesus says in Luke 12:12,

“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Being a light is being a witness and letting the Holy Spirit use our mouths. Every time I have witnessed to others and relied on the Holy Spirit, I have been pleasantly surprised by the words that come out of my mouth. The precious Holy Spirit was sent to be our helper so we can be a light to our world!

That’s the first two ways to be a light, next week we’ll shed more light!

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…

kimconnor@whwc.org