If you have the courage to try, start with these questions. So what does it mean to “shine ... Only then can you move the spotlight to those around you. We do not keep our focus on the vast darkness; rather, we are drawn to the singular light starkly standing out. It was a fun song that I have taught to my children and grandchildren, but it has taken much of my life to truly understand what Jesus was saying in Matthew 5:14 to 16: “You are the light of the world. This blog examines the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:14-16. Sometimes, the world we live in can feel that way. Our room—and the entire house—was completely pitch black. Can others see their own life more clearly after being near you? My emotions swirled together in a … not going to shine. Try carrying out an audit to find out whether your life is already shining some light. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everything around it. But, truthfully, none of us can actually be the light. The question is, are we letting that darkness envelop us, consume us, and disorient us? Let me start with a story. Last week, the gospel of John told us the light can never be extinguished, that darkness did not overcome it. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. – Matthew 5:16. The most important light we can shine is the good news, truth, and love of Jesus! Let Your Light Shine! The Revised Version (cf. The light is always there within you, in your soul, in your heart. Dale Foster and I were about 14 years old when we decided to explore a cave we had discovered in the woods not far from my home in Colbert Heights, Alabama. The light is not the good deeds you do, no is it drawing Showing page 1. You’ll be counter-cultural, and you’ll, Your light can shine in a variety of ways. It’s a worthwhile exercise to evaluate honestly whether the life we’re living is making an impact. A town built on a hill I wanted to head to the East Coast and let my light shine, make the team, and score a bunch of touchdowns. In a hostile world that berates others when they have different views, you may choose to. How can I know that Christianity is true? Maybe you’ve heard Christians talk about being the light of the world, but you’re not sure what it means. Even now, remembering that story, I am amazed at how powerful, how impactful, and how helpful that small light on my phone had been at that moment. Some of us might feel that we are a light in a dark world—but do we have the humility to look in the mirror and ask ourselves tough questions about that? People desperately want leaders who consistently, patiently, and passionately cast vision for where they’re taking people. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. God’s light still shines, but we can hide it … So, what does it mean to let your light shine? Deep. Ye are the light of the world. Deep. Just as I was able to find my way on that pitch-black night the moment I turned on my flashlight, if you choose to be the light in a dark world, other people close to you will begin to see their own life, calling, and purpose more clearly. If you choose to be the light in a dark world, your life will provide clarity and vision to those you encounter. Do you stand in clear contrast to the world around you? When you face problems and difficulties, “let your light shine”. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:19-20). Light doesn’t define its surroundings. It is simply the willingness to go … It’s living in a way that’s different, bringing clarity out of darkness, and drawing others toward the hope you have. So, letting your light shine is all about being connected to Living Dialog Ministries (TLDM, Inc.) When someone needs the Gospel, “let your light shine”. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. —a small light piercing into the darkness. Your light can shine in a variety of ways. Now, let’s be clear. When things around us are confusing and difficult, “let your light shine”. MATTHEW 5:16 “ Let your light shine ” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Christians who are able to encourage you in your daily life. All rights reserved. But, truthfully, none of us can actually, … for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Another quality of light is that it provides clarity to surroundings. When I was disturbed, it provided me peace. I know how to semi-consciously navigate my home in a sleepy stupor at 3:00am, but this level of darkness was disorienting and disturbing. These questions are a good starting point to grow in awareness of how brightly our lights are shining. (15) Nor do you light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. What does it mean to let your light shine? 2. Contrast makes all the difference in, . Shining your light comes about through healing and restoring the divine blueprint and template for you as an embodied light being in physical form, and then living as an embodied light being who understands that you are here to create. One of the defining qualities of light is that it appears in crystal-clear, definitive contrast to the darkness around it. This metaphor itself is accompanied by the stirring call of our Lord: “Let your light shine.” It applies to all arenas of life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Light illuminates its surroundings. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, Maybe you’ve heard Christians talk about being the, , but you’re not sure what it means. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Let your light so shine before men Here Christ applies the foregoing simile to his disciples, and more fully opens the meaning and design of it. Psalm 76:4 says of God, “You are radiant with light.” The fact that God is light sets up a natural contrast with darkness. But the leader’s role is to constantly clarify the mission. When you let your light shine, other people will notice and want what you have. Seeing the Light. Reverend Bryn MacPhail / January 19, 2003 As we make our way through the Gospel of Matthew during the next couple of months, I do not want you to think that we are moving through this book aimlessly, or without any purpose. I vaguely remember the thunder and lightning, but I definitely remember the. If a person hasn’t been brought to repentance and faith, they are still dead in their sins (Eph 2:1-2), but if you’ve seen the light, it might be because you saw the light in others, and this might have brought you to the Light of the World (John 8:12). 3rd Translation: Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. What does that mean? You might not even know what I'm talking about, or perhaps you're afraid of shining bright because you're worried about what people would think of you. * What does it mean to let you light shine? The Bible says, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. I know how to semi-consciously navigate my home in a sleepy stupor at 3:00am, but this level of darkness was disorienting and disturbing. It is the very power he works within us to shine the glory of Jesus Christ in present day life, circumstances and relationships. ~ John 1:5 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Jesus has described His disciples as first the salt of the earth and then as the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–15). Do you share your experiences, both wins and losses, to equip them on their journey? You can’t let your light shine if you’ve never seen the light. That’s being a light in, Great leaders constantly remind their team, The attractiveness of light can seem mysterious at first. In his Word, God instructs his people to live in such a way that we profoundly impact the lives of others. cannot be hidden. In a world that prioritizes possessions, you may choose a debt-free life, drive an older vehicle, and play the disciplined, long financial game. Or maybe you’re trying your hardest to let your light shine for others, but you’re not sure if you’re actually doing it. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The light is not the good deeds you do, no is it drawing attention to your actions so as to be seen as a “good Christian.” People do good deeds all the time, but aren’t necessarily Christians. coming into our room to climb into bed with us for comfort. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Explanation and Commentary on Matthew 5:16 In the same way, that light should not be hidden but should light up the room, or city on a hill cannot be hidden, we are to let our light shine. The primary difference between Christianity and all other world religions to semi-consciously my. Stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house the same,... 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