Welcome to A Journey through the New Testament! In this series, we will systematically journey through every chapter in the New Testament, unveiling the marvelous insights that can be found in the scriptures.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Consider the profound message here. Following the Beatitudes, Jesus declares the blessed ones to be the light of the world. In the previous Sunrise, we explored how the infilling of the life of Christ (the Holy Ghost) transforms individuals into lights. Now, let's delve into the perspective Jesus was speaking from.
Neither do men light a candle…
John 1:1&4 states;
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
It is indeed the life of Christ that illuminates the lost. Our illumination is therefore based on Christ's response to our faith in Him - it is ultimately His decision to light us or not. In other words, according to His analogy in Matthew 5:15, He is the one that lights the candle. For what purpose? He has lit the candle of our lives that they may glorify God. This is a revelation in and of itself.
When God bestows the Holy Ghost, He empowers us to live righteously, yet the choice to reveal or hide our light is ours.
Only God can extinguish our candle by withdrawing His Spirit (reprobation). Though we cannot put out our light, we can however dim, conceal, and dishonor it. What will you choose today? Will you brightly live Christ's life before others, or hide your light under the bushel of sin? The choice is yours.
Written by Kareem Flowers, Sunrise with Jesus
Let this light, Which you are oh Lord, shine🙏🏽
Let my Light shine, oh Lord. 🙏
The sons of God are the light in this dark world. It is our responsibility to seek the Lord each morning to refresh the light in us. Prayer, reading the Bible, and singing are all weapons of our warfare against the darkness in people. Let’s do it!