- Jan 17, 2023
- 3 min read
“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 AMP
I am to be the light in the world. I am not to hide my light BUT to make certain to show this light to all the world including those in my home. My light needs to show action and character that reveals the Way of the Lord and gives honor and praise to God.
“Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop[See Isa. 49:6]? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place[Or “under a basket”]? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light [The Aramaic word for “light” (noohra) is often used as a metaphor for teachings that bring enlightenment and revelation into the hearts of men. Light can also represent the presence of God (“the light of his countenance”). Jesus is the light of God within us]! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works [Light and works are intertwined. We need the light of Christ in order to do good works. Our good works are like light shining upon their hearts] will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 TPT
He says, “It is too trivial a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the [spared] survivors of Israel; I will also make You a light to the nations That My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6 AMP
How am I to be a light to the world? I represent the presence of God through my knowledge of the Lord. By daily walking with Him, I can show that light to others. This depends on me doing what God wants. And to know what God wants, I need to have a relationship with Him. That involves knowing Him, talking to Him, and wrestling to understand His Way for my life.
“Ye are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid. Neither doe men light a candel, and put it vnder a bushel, but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.”
Matthew 5:14-16 GNV
I am not saved by works, however, my works are a glory to God. How can I keep the greatness of God to myself? How can I not share what He has done with everyone? How can I hide His greatness in some place where no one can see His greatness? I need to show His light by being His light.
“You are light in the world. A city built upon a hill cannot be hidden”.
“They do not light a lamp to place it in a hidden place where it cannot shine; but they place it upon a lamp-stand so that it might shine for all in the house. Thus let your light shine before every man to show them your good deeds which give praise and glory to your Father Who is in heaven”.
Matthew 5:14-16 NMV
I am to be a light for every man. My good deeds are for all people. My neighbors need to see, through my good deeds, the praise and glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
“You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”
Mattityahu (Mat) 5:14-16
I pray today that my good deeds are a beacon that leads others to the Lord. I pray that through my reflection of God’s love, others will see the goodness of God.
I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!