“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”” (John 9:5 WEB)
Jesus gave a timeframe for Him to be “the light of the world”. While He was in the world, walking on earth, He was the light of the world.
But what about after He resurrected and ascended to Heaven? He passed on this title to us. Now we are the light of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 WEB)
We are the light of the world not because we are so good in and of ourselves, but because Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a glorious light that shines out from within us.
Notice how Jesus gave the illustration of a city on a hill. A city is fixed and cannot be moved, and it is on a hill—an elevated position. This is a picture of us being seated with Christ in Heaven, shining gloriously. It is from the posture that we can be light to this dark world.
You cannot be hidden—the Holy Spirit in you is too glorious. Wherever you go, you shine forth God’s light. However, you may block that light when you put a “measuring basket” over it by letting worldliness from the flesh take over in the way you conduct yourself. In that way, the light that others see is dimmed, even though the light within you is always shining.
How do we practically let our light light shine before men? Jesus said it is through good works. Our good works will cause people to glorify God in Heaven.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 KJV)
Christ lives in you, and that makes you the light of the world. It is no longer you (the old crucified self) who live, but Christ who lives in you (you are joined to Him to become one spirit).
We can be truly alive (with eternal life) because of the faith of the Son of God. He had perfect faith in the Father, submitted to the Father’s will, and gave Himself up on the cross so that we may live.
“Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake; seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-6 WEB)
You have light to illuminate this dark world that has been blinded by the veils of Satan’s lies. When you shine forth Christ in your words and actions, you reveal the truth of the Gospel to people, and they will want to get saved. After seeing the beauty of Jesus, there is no going back. Let your light shine!