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On the Mount of Beatitudes Jesus says to His disciples: "You are
the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify
your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:14-16).
In this Scripture Jesus only addresses that they are a light, but
He does not address how they are a light. The fact is that Jesus
is the only true light. "In Him was life, and the life was the light
of men" (Jn. 1:4). So if Jesus is the only light to men, how are
Christ's disciples lights?
Let me suggest that Jesus' disciples are a light to the world by
reflecting Him in their lives. Not because they are anything great
themselves, but because of Christ in their lives.
Now let's notice a few analogies of reflection and a Christian's
light to the world:
- All men are sinners (Rom. 3:23) before coming to Christ. Therefore
all men begin in darkness and do not reflect Christ.
- God has delivered (rescued) us from darkness and transferred
us into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13; Eph. 5:8); therefore,
those obedient to Christ reflect Him because of God's power to
transform them into children of light. God has reflectorized the
disciples of Christ.
- Since God has rescued and transferred us from darkness into
the kingdom of Christ, we have an obligation to: "Have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them"
(Eph. 5:11). We have a responsibility to reflect Christ in our
lives.
- Those practicing evil hate light. Evil hated Christ and evil
hates those who reflect Christ (Jn. 3:19-21; 15:18).
- The light that evil men hate is the same light that protects
Christians from evil - put on the armor of light; put on Christ
(Rom. 13:12-14).
- Those who walk in the light are children of light and therefore
reflect Christ having the light of life (Jn. 8:12). That for which
men hate us is that which saves us.
Now think in synonymous terms. Think about the relationship between
a Christian and Christ expressed by these synonyms.
Christians who reflect Christ: copy, echo, match, mirror, repeat,
reproduce, shine, take after, demonstrate, display, exhibit, express,
indicate, manifest, reveal, and show Him in their lives.
If we care about those who are living in sin, we should be anxious
to reflect Christ in our lives that some may be saved. And if we
desire to glorify God, we should be anxious to reflect Christ that
men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. And
only those who reflect Christ are those who have been rescued from
darkness to walk in light having the light of life, eternal life.
Now ask yourself: What should I change in my life to better reflect
Christ to the world?
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