In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said that we are the light of the world. Like a lighted city set on a hill, we are not meant to be hidden. Jesus went on to describe the power of a candle to light up the darkness around it. No one lights a candle only to put it into a basket. We are to let our light shine before men so that others can see the light of God and so that we can glorify Him.
There is power in our identity and understanding who we are in Christ and who God has purposed us to be. How are we to be God’s light in a world that is often filled with darkness and brokenness? Recently Pr Philip Lyn shared a simple message at Damansara Utama Methodist Church about four kinds of light Christians are empowered to be.
The first of these is the lamplight (Verse references: Matthew 5:15, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Peter 3:16, Proverbs 11:3, 2 Corinthians 8:21)
A lamplight is created to shed its glow in a particular localised area. Its light is sometimes dim but discernible nevertheless and provides a warm glow around it. In the darkness, such a light can shine very brightly.
In the Christian context, the lamplight represents integrity. Like the light that shines at the core of the lamp, integrity starts from within our hearts. Integrity is a wholeness of oneself, what is inside is the same as the outside. There is no deceit or false pretences. Integrity can be seen as greater than reputation (what people think you are), for it is who a person really is. Such a person brings security and reliability to the people around them because people will know if you are someone who can be trusted and depended upon. Just a flicker of light can make all the difference. We develop integrity from within when we surrender to God and live under His Lordship.
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; When health is lost, something is lost; When character is lost, all is lost – Billy Graham
The second type of lamp is the lampstand (Verse references: Matthew 5:16, Colossians 3:23, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Proverbs 22:29, Exodus 31:2-3, Daniel 6:3)
The light from a lampstand can brighten up a whole room. It calls notice to itself without needing to push itself onto the attention of others. In the Christian context, such a light is exemplified through works of excellence. Pr Philip Lyn shared that we ought to aim to be the best we can be, for excellence is traction on the path to becoming missional.
How can we aim for a spirit of excellence? First, set a goal for competency and reliability. Competency develops when we treat our lives and work as worship unto the Lord. It grows through intentionality and perseverance. Intentionality can be learned through a repeated process of watching how the best do it, asking questions, reading up, making mistakes, and learning from them. Perseverance is the attitude of not giving up.
In the Bible, we read about many people who became distinguished above all others because they had an excellent spirit. One example is Daniel, and another example is Bezalel. But there are many other examples we can learn from through Scripture.
Integrity and excellence give us influence for God’s Kingdom in areas of promotion, profits, people, and the platform to proclaim the Good News. People with such spirit are trustworthy and can be counted on at all times to do the job and to do it well, no matter how long it takes or how hard.
The third kind of light is the floodlight (Verse references: Matthew 5:16, 1 Timothy 6:18, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Acts 10:38)
Floodlights are used to light up whole stadiums. No matter where you sit in that stadium relative to that floodlight, you will see its light. At this level are good works. Good works can come in two forms. In our works of love, generosity, and justice, we shine forth God’s light. But God can also display His glory through His power and miracles. God can shine through our good works which can catch people’s attention and attract them to Him.
And finally, we come to the fourth light; the city lights (Verse reference: Matthew 5:14)
Have you ever seen a lighted city on a hilltop? The city lights up even the sky around it and it is often a beautiful thing to behold. For the city to light up that way, the whole metropolitan need to stand together.
Pr Philip shared that the mark of city lights is that they cannot and will not be ignored. We cannot pretend that it is not there. It is a powerful thing that transforms the landscape. It is likewise with our influence. Together, with everyone being a light that makes up the city lights on a hill, His Glory will be seen in the city and nation.
Pr Philip summarised the four kinds of lights:
At the lamp light level, we GLOW.
At the lampstand level, we BRIGHTEN the place.
At the Floodlight level, God SHINES through our good works
At the City lights level, His GLORY is seen in the city and the nation.
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