The children sing a song that includes the line, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” Beloved, that is not just a song for little children in Sunday School; that is the call of God to all of His children (Matthew 5:14-16).
When you take a deeper look into Scripture, however, you realize that the light that shines in and through us is a reflective light, and not one that we create. Just like the moon is merely a reflector of the light which comes from the sun, Christians are people who have been redeemed to be reflectors of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. There is only one true source of Light in this world, and that is The Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:7-9). In fact, we read that even in the New Jerusalem in the perfect, eternal state to come, the glory of God will illuminate it, and the Lamb will be the light there (Revelation 21:23).
For men to have spiritual life, they must have light (John 1:4). Thus, when we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, it is Christ Himself Who comes to dwell within us (Colossians 1:27) and Who becomes the actual source of the light that needs to shine through us so men can see. Speaking of the Church, Peter wrote: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Being called into this light, we are now reflectors of Jesus Christ in a world that is characterized as being in darkness (Ephesians 5:8,13; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).
That light shows forth when we do the things that are pleasing to God, being motivated by the love of The Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5). That light shines as we walk in anticipation of Christ’s return, and walk in holiness by putting on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-14). Regarding the importance of shining as lights in this world, Paul wrote: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:8)
Beloved, may our lives in this fallen world be reflectors of the light and love of The Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 2:9-10; Ephesians 6:5-6). Make the most of every God-given opportunity to let the light of Jesus Christ shine in such a way that our Heavenly Father would be glorified. That is the purpose of our existence; that is the purpose of our redemption (Isaiah 43:7).
