Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. 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.
Jesus told His disciples that Christians should be visible. Christians should stand out and even draw attention to themselves … for the right reasons. There is a huge difference between the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven and the cultures of the kingdoms of the world. If Christians are living out Heaven’s culture they should stand out as plainly as a city on top of a hill or a light shining in the night.
Just as salt affects its surroundings, so does light. We are living in this world with a purpose to affect the world. Christians should mirror God’s love and compassion so the world can see God’s goodness. Christians should expose and oppose evil as light reveals truth and expels darkness.
Too often Christians fail in one of two ways. Either they attract attention for the wrong reasons, or they try to hide in plain sight. Christians attract negative attention when they are hypocritical or judgmental. We should live what we preach, even though we will not be perfect. We should stand for what is true, but we can, and should, do so out of love. Jesus never compromised the truth, but his message was one of love and Good News.
As I mentioned earlier, Christians should stand out. Too many Christians are so afraid of offending people or being considered strange that they act more like secret agents. They blend in to the world’s culture to the extent that they have no eternal effect on the people around them.
Christians should live in a manner that the world can see God in them. I have heard it said that actions matter because Christians are the only Jesus the world will ever see before it is too late.
Almighty God, cause Your light to shine through me. Polish me so that nothing in me will hinder Your light from shining brightly. Lord, I pray the world will see You in and through me.