Matt. 5:14-16 says, “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.” Last week, we began to look at the subject of salt and light. Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth. We looked at different characteristics of salt, such as salt is preserving, it flavors, it irritates, and it heals. It also makes thirsty. Our walk with Jesus should cause others to be thirsty for Christ. This week we will look at the fact that we are the light of the world. Let’s get into God’s Word.

There is right and wrong, good and evil, day and night, light and darkness, Jesus and Satan. The reason Jesus said we are the light of the world is because the world abides in darkness. We could not light the world, if the world was already light. Some abide in darkness because of ignorance, but most men abide in darkness because their deeds are evil, and they don’t want to come to the light (Jn 3:19-21).

A few qualities of light are: 1. It displaces darkness. We don’t try and push darkness out of a room. We simply turn on the light, and it displaces the darkness. We must be careful as Christians (especially pastors) that we aren’t always cursing the darkness. True, we need to diagnose the disease, but we need to offer the cure, as well. We must not stop at saying what is wrong, but follow with what is right. 2. Light exposes. The reason so many people get mad when you speak God’s truth is because it exposes their darkness. They don’t like their darkness being exposed, so they attack, demonize, lie about, and try to shut up those that stand for God’s Word. As I mentioned last week, what happened with Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A is a perfect example of this.

3. Light shows the way. Without a lit runway, a night-time plane landing is an accident waiting to happen. Being the light of the world means showing the world the way to Jesus and everlasting life, showing the world what the truth of God’s Word is. This is our duty as Christian disciples.

While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world (Jn 9:5). He came to be the light of the world, so that those who follow Him would not be in darkness (Jn 8:12, 12:46, 1Jn 1:5). He then gave His light to us (2Cor 4:6, 6:14, Eph 5:8, 14, 1Thess 5:5, 1Pt 2:9). We not only posses His light as Christians, but we have actually become light.

Jesus gave us His light, so that we may give His light to others (Mt 10:27, Philp 2:15, Eph 5:13). Why? To open the world’s eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified (made holy) by faith (Acts 26:18). It is called spreading the Gospel. It is called the great commission.

His light comes to the world through the preaching and living out of the Gospel (2Pt 1:19, 2Tim 1:10, 2Cor 4:4). God’s Word is what is profitable for our doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness. It is what we should speak, believe in, and live. If you are a real Christian, you accept this. If you are not, then you reject it.

For instance, if a person claims to be a neo-Nazi, but he has only read some of Mein Kampf, and didn’t believe what little he did read, doesn’t go to any rallies, doesn’t like swastikas, or own anything with one on it, believes all men are created equal, and doesn’t think the white race superior to any other, then obviously, he is not really a neo-Nazi. Right?

Yet, how many people claim to be Christian, but they don’t read the Bible, and what little they read, they don’t believe, they don’t fellowship with believers, they don’t pray, etc., etc., then they are not really Christians. Right?

We must abide in - dwell in - the light (1Jn 1:7, 2:9-10). How do we do this? By keeping our eyes singly, exclusively focused on Jesus. The eyes are the windows to the soul. If our eyes are on the Kingdom of God, His righteousness and His ways, then our souls will be full of light. If our eyes are focused on worldly things, then our souls will be full of darkness (Lk 11:34-36). Be careful what you watch and what you listen to. It is affecting your soul, whether you know it or not. You can’t consume darkness and expect to produce light. Your eyes must be single, if you want to be full of light. I pray these teachings on salt and light have blessed and challenged you and, until next time, rejoice in The Lord!