Bright light….bright light! If you remember the 1984 movie Gremlins then you know what I am referring to in the above phrase.
However, in today’s message I’m not showcasing the little cute fictional creature named Gizmo who was resistant to light rather, I am highlighting a very important command that Jesus introduced in Matthew 5:16.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” He explained that no one lights a lamp just to hide it under a basket. A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everything around it. Whether you’re timid (introverted) or outgoing (extroverted), you’re called to be a light to the people around you.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). Throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. So, what does it mean to shine? In short, it means to be counter-cultural (Romans 13:12), to put yourself out there (Matt 5:16a), and to always point back to the source (Matt 5:16b)
Think about it for a second; light is one of the most prevalent themes throughout the entire Bible. It starts with God hovering over the unformed earth when He speaks light into existence, and when we can run straight through Revelation we are told our new heaven and earth with be illuminated with God’s glory that no sun or moon will be needed to shine its light.
Most of us, if not all of us have all hummed this catchy little tune a time or two: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” You see my brothers and sisters, we weren’t made to shine in the light. God created each of us to let our little lights shine in the dark. There is so much darkness surrounding us, there is so much darkness in our world today, God is calling all believers to leave their lights on! That said, let’s be clear; Jesus isnt talking about leaving our porch lights on at night. He is talking about letting the Holy Spirit shine brightly within us so that others may see our good works and in return glorify our God in heaven!
4GIVEN 