"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
Jesus commands His followers to live out the light they have received from the Father in Heaven. They are forbidden from covering up God's light. God is glorified through the good works produced when His people live out all the light they have received from Him. These good works provide a testimony that will expose wickedness in the judgement. The wicked will be compelled to confess that God is God indeed (1 Peter 2:11-12). When Christians choose not to live out all the light God has given them, they disobey Christ's command and deprive God of His glory.
A reason that Christians give in to the temptation to hide the light God has given them is the fear of persecution. Persecution includes ridicule, slander, hostility, harassment, financial loss, and every other kind of evil treatment that results from living a godly life. Jesus has provided words to strengthen and energize His people to withstand the temptation to avoid persecution by hiding God's light:
"'Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows'" (Matthew 10:27-31).
These words can be broken up into three main principles:
Let the Light Shine: Jesus commands His followers to take the wisdom of God they receive from Him and broadcast it to a world that is devoid or lacking this wisdom and often ignorant of their need for it. Jesus gives this command understanding that His followers will experience persecution as a result (2 Timothy 3:12).
No Benefit from Hiding the Light: Jesus tells his followers that any persecution they might escape by covering up the light God has given them is more pleasant than the destruction of soul and body in hell — which is where they will end up if they cover up the light. There is no true benefit for choosing not to live out all the light God has given us.
No Reason to Fear Death: God, who does not allow a sparrow to die outside of His will, watches over the hairs on the heads of His people with the same protective care He gives to the sparrows. Therefore, God's people have nothing to fear because they cannot die unless their death glorifies God and secures them eternal blessings (Revelation 14:13).
Call to Action
Commit yourself to living out all the light God has given you today, and for the rest of your life.
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
