Faith is a revealing light in today's dark world

Matthew 5:14-16 (Jesus speaking), “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Christianity is like the light in that it is meant to be seen. As someone has well said, “There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy.” (Author unknown).

Your faith, my faith, should be clearly visible to everyone — inside the church and outside in the world. Our faith should be visible in the way we treat people in general or those who happen, for instance, to be our employees.

Our faith should shine as we work in our office, drive our car, play a game. The daily language we use and the literature we read should reflect the light of our faith in Jesus.

A Christian should be just as much a Christian in the world as he or she is in church. Our Lord did not say “You are the light of the church.” He said, “You are the light of the world.” The world is where we live and conduct our lives. Your faith, my faith, should be evident in our every day living, to everyone.

A light is also a guide. There are runway lights that guide planes landing at night or in fog. There are lighthouses that guide ships to safety and where they need to go.

There are many people in the world who need spiritual guidance, who do not have the moral strength and fortitude to take a Godly stand by themselves. But if someone gives them a lead, they will follow; if they have someone strong enough to lean on, they will do the right thing.

It is the Christian’s duty to take the stand which the weaker Christian or nonbeliever can support, to light the way which those with less spiritual courage will follow. The world and the church desperately needs its guiding lights.

Light can also expose danger or often be a warning light. It is the Christian’s duty to bring to the world the necessary warning concerning eternal judgment by God Almighty. This is very difficult to do without bringing more harm than good. If our warnings are given, not in anger, not in irritation, not in criticism, not in condemnation, not in the desire to hurt, but in love, our warnings will be effective light.

The light that can be seen, the light which guides, the light which warns, these are the lights which the Christian must be. Not maybe. Must be. I hope and pray that every Christian will let their “little light shine” for the glory and honor our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, so a dark and confused world might also see and then receive our Jesus for themselves.

Without light, there is only darkness. With light, there is always hope and spiritual possibilities.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine . . .

Chris Voss is a pastor at First Christian Church, 317 S. Main, Donna.