Matthew 5:14-16 KJV — Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus gives the Christian both a great compliment and a great responsibility when He says that we are the light of the world, because He claimed that title for Himself as He walked this earth (John 8:12 and John 9:5).
In being the light of the world; we are not only light-receivers, but also light-givers. We must have a greater concern than only ourselves, and we cannot live only to ourselves; we must have someone to shine to, and do so lovingly.
Light is needed because the world is in darkness, and if our Christianity imitates the darkness, we have nothing to show the world. To be effective we must seek and display the Christian distinctive. We can never affect the world for Jesus by becoming like the world.
The purpose of light is to illuminate and expose what is there. Therefore light must be exposed before it is of any use; if it is hidden it is no longer useful.
Jesus wants us to live out His light through our lives before the world.
Even as lamps are placed higher so their light can be more effective, we should look for ways to let our light shine in greater and broader ways.
The purpose in letting our light so shine by doing good works is so that others will glorify God, not ourselves.
THE LAMPLIGHTERS PROJECT 