The only way for people to come out of the darkness is for Christians to turn on the power of their light and let it shine! Matthew 5:16’s instruction to “let your light so shine before men” is Jesus’ will for His Body. It’s not a new declaration; in Isaiah 60, the need is clearly shown:
“Arise, shine; for your light has come and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” – ISAIAH 60:1-3
This scripture refers to Jesus, but it also refers to us because His light is our light as Christians.
God’s telling us to arise and let people know that you have the light they need within you. Let’s not get this false humility that we shouldn’t say something because we don’t want people to think we’re bragging on ourselves. Of course not…without Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5)! We need to talk about what Jesus is doing in and through us.
What I Have, in the Name of Jesus
In Acts 3, there’s an account of disciples Peter and John. While at the temple, a lame man cried out begging for alms. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter had the power, but he proclaimed Who gave him the power: Jesus.
He didn’t pray for the man’s healing; he didn’t ask God to heal him. He didn’t say, “Jesus, what you have will you give him?” He said, “What I have I give to you.”
Jesus has given us the light. He’s given us the revelation, the authority, the power and the dominion to speak and do the things He did so we can be like Him here on this earth.
Notice Isaiah 60 says light has risen upon you. That helps me understand that it’s not about what I’m doing…it’s about what Jesus did.
When it says “Gentiles shall come to your light”, we see the light in us is going to draw people to us so that we can respond by telling them why we’re lit up. The light (revelation) within us will set them free. People want to walk in freedom and liberty, unchained and unhindered. The only way to do that is to have a relationship with Jesus. Who’s going to let them know that truth? You and I.
The Perfect Housing for God
You know, God never changed His mind about humanity. Adam and Eve were created in His likeness; when they fell into sin, God didn’t say, “Okay, no one else is created in my image or likeness.” Humans have always been the perfect housing for God. Our eyes were blinded to that until Jesus came. God always intended for His glory to be contained in us so that we could come into darkness and peel things back and let that light shine.
2 Corinthians 4:4 in the Mirror Bible states, “The survival and self-improvement programs of the religious systems of this world veil the minds of the unbelievers, exploiting their ignorance about their true origin and their redeemed innocence.”
As Christians, we say we’ve been redeemed. But, Jesus paid the price for sin for everyone. Whether they’ve received it or not, their sins have been forgiven. They need to believe that that has happened in order for them to receive it.
The verse continues: “The veil of unbelief obstructs a person’s view and keeps them from seeing what the light of the gospel so clearly reveals: the glory of God is the image and likeness of our Maker redeemed in human form. This is what the gospel of Christ is all about.”
Colossians 3:4 in the Mirror Bible reads, “…what is evident in Him is equally mirrored in you! The exact life on exhibit in Christ is now repeated in us. We are included in the same bliss and joined-oneness with Him; just as His life reveals you, your life reveals Him.”
It’s good to pray for people…but we need to talk to them also. Letting your shine – including talking with people – is putting action to your faith in what God has done in your life and wants to do in others’. As Colossians 3:17 reminds us, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
To watch the message this post was based from (September 13, 2020), click here.
