LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN

Light is a common metaphor in the Bible. For example, the scrip­ture describes God’s character in these words: ‘God is light, and in him is no darkness at all’, 1 John 1. 5. Furthermore, the first chapter of the Bible describes the creation of natural light, Gen. 1. 3. Light shows things as they actually are; it illuminates and reveals the true character of things. The Almighty delights to demonstrate truth by means of light. The Psalmist affirms that ‘the entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple’, Ps. 119. 130. Therefore, light deals with testi­mony and moral purity.

The Lord Jesus instructs His followers to let their light so shine that their good deeds may be illuminated for the entire world to see. He described Himself as ‘the light of the world’, John 8. 12. The same Gospel writer calls Him ‘the true Light’, John 1. 9. Christ accurately displayed the glory of God. He also revealed the wickedness of man’s heart, John 3. 19-21. To observe His conduct was to behold the moral excellence of the Father in action; perfect righteousness was seen in His every movement. At the same time, His impeccability was a rebuke to sinful man­kind. Because of their envy and hatred for the perfect Lord Jesus, they eventually crucified Him.

By letting their light shine brilliantly, Christians display the glories of God’s new creation in them, 2 Cor. 5. 17. When people watch believers, they ought to see a positive difference in their lives. Christians should perform acts of kindness towards their lost neighbours. Righteousness and holiness are to be the defin­ing characteristics of the Christian life, 1 Thess. 4. 3. They ought to live with eternity in mind, pleasing their Father in heaven in all things. This should lead those who observe them to conclude that the God of the Christians is a God of love, mercy, holiness, and goodness. The Lord’s purpose in this command is that oth­ers may see in the believer the outstanding moral quality of the life which the Father ordains for His own. He wants His follow­ers to be living object lessons of what His grace and power can do in the lives of human beings, thereby reflecting His spot­less character.