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Do you remember the children’s song, This Little Light of Mine? You know the one where you held your finger up like a candle and sang at the top of your lungs...
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Ok, maybe I was the only one singing at the top of my lungs, but what wonderful memories I have declaring what I now know to be based on Matthews 5:14-16.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
With Matthew 5:14-16 as our backdrop let’s consider the word L.I.G.H.T.
L Light Shines Through the Darkness
There is so much darkness in the world. According to Ephesians 5:8 we were part of that darkness. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” God intends our lives to be a light in the world’s darkness. A light that points others to Jesus.
I Illuminate the World with Your Light.
Verse 14 is clear, “You are the light of the world.” This phrase gives a broad application of as think about a city on the hill that can’t be hidden. If you have ever viewed a city from a plane descending into an airport you have experienced the collective light of a city.
Let it shine all over the world. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine all over the world. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
G God gave Jesus as The Light.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
H Hidden Light Can’t Be Seen by Others
Not only are we called to light the world, we should not place our light under a basket. In fact, it is placed on a lampstand that gives light to the whole house.
I believe we must be careful to shine the light of Christ in our own homes while being a light to the world. Our challenge is addressing the “baskets” that hide our light.
Baskets like fear that keep us from inviting our neighbor to church; peer pressure that has us going along with the crowd; busyness that cause us to ignore the needs of others.
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
T Thwart the Enemy and Shine Your Light
Our enemy is real. Satan is on a never-ending quest to spread his lies and hinder us in shining our light. We are smart to heed 1 Peter 5:5-8 and humble ourselves because “‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Today let’s each assess how well we are letting our lights shine! This little light of mine might be small, but when all of our little lights get together we can illuminate the world with the only light that truly matters—Jesus!