by: Dr. Allen Domelle
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
For many years, I have preached at the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. At night, you can see the lights of Albuquerque from the church parking lot. It is a beautiful sight. Another church where I’ve preached several times that has the same landscape is the Westside Baptist Church of Pacifica, California. When I’m driving back to my hotel from the church, you can see the lights of the Bay Area shining brightly at night. In both of these churches, you can clearly see the need for the Gospel at night because of the bright lights shining at night.
God says in verse 14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Just like these churches are situated in a place where you can see the lights of the city, God says that the Christian’s light is like a city set on a hill, it “cannot be hid.” Your responsibility as a Christian is to be sure the world sees your light shining brilliantly towards Christ. Four things must be done if you are going to shine your light brightly in a dark world.
First, you cannot have light unless you have the Light inside of you. The Light is Jesus Christ. Salvation is the only way you can have His Light shining in you. Verse 4 compares your light shining to a city that is “set on an hill.” The hill to where you must go to get the Light of Christ in your life is the hill of Calvary. It is only through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ which allows you the opportunity to have His light in you. If you’ve never accepted Christ as your Saviour, you will never have the light you need to shine in this dark world.
Second, you are the only light the world may see. This world in which we live is in darkness. If you are the “light of the world,” the only light they can see is through you. It is important for the world to see your light shining brightly. They will never have an opportunity to get saved if you don’t shine your light so the whole world can see it.
Third, the world will not see the Light unless you do the works of light. The verse above shows us that it is through our “good works” that the Christian shines their light. Friend, going to church is not enough. It is when the Christian is yielded to the Holy Spirit and does the works of righteousness that the world sees your light shining. What you must realize is that they only see the light that shines through you. Your light shines only because of the Light that shines in your soul. You have no light without the Light. The more works of righteousness you do for Christ the more the world sees the light of Christ. Seeing the light of Jesus Christ is the only hope this world has to make it through the darkness of sin. I must ask, do you have any works for Christ through which the world can see the Light of Christ? Those works are the only thing which will cause the world to see that the Light is more powerful than darkness. Remember, the more works you do, the brighter the light shines through you.
Fourth, only you can hide the light from shining through you. In verse 15, it is clear that you are the only one who places a “bushel” over your light to keep others from seeing the Light that is in you. What is the “bushel” which prevents others from seeing the Light? Light is more powerful than darkness, and people are always attracted to Light, but if you hide your light they will only see darkness. Don’t hide your light; instead, take any “bushel” away that keeps your light from shining.