You are the Light of the World

By Barry Fike

“I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am the Lord, that doeth all these things.”  (Isaiah 45:7) 

          In Gen. 1:3 the first thing recorded that God said was, “Let there be light.”  After the creation of physical light man showed his need for spiritual light when he fell into the darkness of sin. 

          “Seeing it is God, that said, light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  (2 Cor. 4:6). 

          This light, given by God again, would restore this broken fellowship between man and God.  Constantly throughout the Bible God is referred to as this light who guides the way to salvation. 

          “For thou art my lamp, O Lord, and the Lord will lighten my darkness.”  (2 Sam. 22:29)

          Throughout the Biblical text God shows his light, glory or manifestation in a number of ways.  He can be a flaming torch (Gen. 15:17), a pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21,22), mountain fire (Ex. 19:18), fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:12), a burning bush, a 7 branched candlestick, a star to lead wise men, a bright light that blinds an unbeliever on his way to Damascus, etc.  If we are the light of the world then we are to imitate, or reflect, such luminescence in the society that we are a part of. 

        “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is

           the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  (Ps. 27:1) 

          Jesus is not saying that the people of his movement are identical with any kind of culture of society.  On the contrary they are not to lose their identity, for they give light to each culture or society. 

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Life as Children of light.”  (Eph. 5:8)

          If they are not careful they may get so concerned with themselves and their organizations within the Kingdom of God that they can actually settle back into a corner and hide their influence under a ceramic vessel, where the lamp will not only not give light but die because of lack of oxygen. 

You are a city set on a hill...lampstand- your light is easily seen.  Make sure that the way you act toward your employees, employers, and clients reflects God.  He is not to be pigeon holed, or put under a bushel.  He wants to be seen and draw all men unto himself. 

“That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,

without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word

of life...”  (Phil. 2:15, 16)    

          Houses were very dark in ancient Palestine. Each house had one window eighteen inches across.  Lamps were sauce like boat structures with oil in it and a wick sticking out of the lip or over the side.  Usually the lamp was on some kind of lamp stand so that its light wouldn’t be hindered from illuminating the entire surrounding.  When people went out they took the light down and put it under a bushel container until they came back.  The primary duty of the light was to be seen and to illuminate the darkness.

Let your light so shine before men-  Does this have reference to going to regular worship services and offering up long lengthy prayers or song services or faithfully tithing?  What does it mean that they may see your good works?  It’s important to continually notice that Jesus is emphasizing action!  Jesus sets forth this principle upon which His movement is going to be built, when He says, “Suffer it or permit it to be so, for thus it behooves us to fill, or fulfill, all Tzedakah, all righteousness.”   Tzedakah doesn’t mean holiness!   It has to do with one’s anointing to judge, to administer justice, to administer truth, to bring deliverance, to bring salvation or healing.  These people upon whom God rules and reigns are a part of his kingdom.  These are the ones who a part of Jesus’ movement.  All the way through we note that the emphasis is upon what those who comprise the kingdom, or who make up the kingdom, are doing. 

          How do I let my light shine?  Since light dispels darkness it can be manifested in practical ways, in many different forms of action.  I might dispel darkness by feeding someone who is hungry.  I might dispel darkness by clothing someone who is naked.  I might dispel darkness by ministering to someone’s emotional needs.  It’s very practical.    Find someone's need and minister to it allowing God's light to be seen.  In this way we imitate our heavenly Father.