LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 5:4-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and hide it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Jesus Christ

Spiritual darkness is growing across this country. The warning is to not ignore it. The encouragement is that Believers need not fear it nor be overcome by it. Fear is overcome by the presence of God in our lives. Because God’s righteousness is with us, we are able to stand strong against every force that comes against us. The more the ungodliness around us increases, the more the darkness covers the land, the more the faithful followers must turn their attention to the One who has promised to always be with us.

Jesus said that His followers “are the light of the world”. Proverbs 4:18-19 says this about the light. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto a perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Those who walk in the light (of Jesus) walk in goodness and in truth. In a spiritual sense when Jesus lives with His followers His light shines through them because they are His.  The light of Jesus within us is meant to be seen. Jesus adds that it is to be like a city built on a hill. The light from that city can be seen from great distances even in the “darkness of night”. The light of Jesus is meant to been seen even when the darkness of evil is all around us. It is not meant to be covered up or hidden; the light is meant draw others to it as an encouragement or as a witness to the light.

I have been where the darkness of night was so thick it was difficult to even see my hand. I must admit it was pretty scary. But when the fire was lit the fear went away because it was much safer and easier to see where I was and where I was going. Going into a dark house at night is much easier when the light(s) are flicked on because I see where the snares and tripping hazards are and I can avoid them. I don’t understand why anyone would not turn on the lights when they are available to them to light the way for them. In the same way, Jesus provides the way, in us, to light the way for others in the darkness creeping(??) into our land. As light in a dark house is meant to be used to see, the light of Jesus Christ is meant to be seen, “not placed under a basket”.

That light is seen whenever a “good deed”, “an encouraging word” is given, and just doing the works of God are done. No large production needs to be done! I am so proud of my family members who are involved in their church by volunteering and who give encouraging words to others. I even like it when I get an encouraging word from them. When we fail to do good works, we are placing a basket over the light of Jesus Christ in us.

Light is meant to be seen and is of little or no value when covered up. Good works done for the glory of God should not be covered up; they are meant to be seen and meant to glorify God. The key is to glorify God and not bring credit, glory, honor to yourself! If that is your concern the work should be done in secret.

I want to tell you the importance of letting your light shine before men. I heard David Wilkerson and Carter Conlin both speak at a conference several years ago. They both mentioned the time was coming when people were going to be drawn to people whose life shown bright with the light of Christ. They would be attracted and want to know what made that person different. What an opportunity to share Jesus Christ and the change He has made in your life. Darkness is growing! There are many who are walking in darkness that do not know it. We must allow the light of Jesus to shine bright in this dark world in order to share the gospel whenever we can. That is a choice each of us has to make! Choose wisely!