This is part of a year-long series. Learn more about this series here.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ 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.

I am paying attention to what stands out to me as I read through The Sermon On The Mount. I then spend time reflecting and meditating on those sections. Today, v.16 stood out to me: let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This is simultaneously one of the simplest and most difficult teaching of Jesus.

It is simple in that He doesn’t instruct us to do any specific activities. He doesn’t tell us to shout His name in the public square, or to tell “X” number of people about Him each day, or to “save souls.” He tells us “to let our light shine.” It is a command that is anchored in being, not doing. To fulfill this command, we must be who we are transformed to be in the presence of others. The way we live our lives must live up to the faith we claim governs our lives. The way we live our lives, the way we decide to interact with others and respond to situations, is supposed to be such a stark contrast to the ways of this world that it resembles the contrast of darkness and light. With this command, Jesus tells us to simply let our lives testify to the world about Who God is. When this happens, they may give glory to God.

This teaching is difficult because it requires excellence from us. It requires consistency. It requires commitment. It requires maturity. It requires us to desire to be transformed by God and then to shine that transformation to the world. We all know that the best lights are not those that flicker but those that consistently shine their light. We cannot be frustrated or disappointed when others are annoyed at our flickering light when we ourselves are annoyed at flickering bulbs in our own houses. It is difficult because we must always be aware that we are switched on, and it requires energy, discipline, and effort on our part to cast the light of our lives as a testimony to the world. But we must do so because it is the light by which they are enabled to see and glorify God.

Reflect and meditate on this. Allow God to mature you so that your life testifies about His glory.