Light of the World

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are 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 in heaven" - Matthew 5:14-16.

This verse is the one that inspired the name of this blog, and - as you probably could have guessed - is my favorite verse in the bible. In fact, I have a small lightbulb tattooed on my shoulder so I am reminded daily that I am called to be the light.

So, what makes it so important?

Someone told me once that not only are we lights of the world, but we are floodlights for Christ. How come you can see the Washington Monument at night? The Statue of Liberty? Because the architects installed floodlights at the feet of the structures that illuminate it so they can be seen at all times; even in the darkness. In the same way, Christians are floodlights for Christ. Our actions point back to our Creator, and they should illuminate Him in such a way that it's impossible to ignore His goodness and glory. 

Today's world is so full of sin and hate, but you didn't need me to tell you that. You could turn on the news and see it - riots, hate rallies, crime, etc. What's the first thing that came to your mind when you read those words? Was it Charlottesville? Perhaps Ferguson?

What about Westboro Baptist Church?

I know, I know. If you're familiar with the works of Westboro, you're thinking "they're not a church! They're not real Christians! They're a cult!" 

I know that. You know that. But do people who aren't saved know that? Honestly, the sad truth is that they probably don't.

Non-believers look at organizations like Westboro and they use it to judge all Christians. This is sad, but understandable because hate screams so much louder than love.

But Westboro isn't the only place where hate is being spread. We spread hate daily without even knowing - when you gossip about that girl that you don't particularly like, when you walk by someone and look away instead of smiling at them, when you judge others sin as if you don't have your own. Not one person is above another, especially not in sin - God sees all sin equally. This means that yes - you lying to your mom about where you were last night is just as bad as murdering somebody in the eyes of God. Crazy, right? That being said, we have absolutely no right to cast judgement or hate another person. 

Let me put it this way: if people look at the Christian community and see nothing but dysfunction, hate, and unrighteous judgment, they're going to think we serve a dysfunctional, hateful, and unrighteous God. 

If you knew your actions impacted someone's view of Christ, would you act differently?

How do your actions illuminate Christ?

Do they demonstrate his love and compassion for all? Or do they cast him in a bad light?

I'm not saying you have to be perfect; that's not the case at all. No one is perfect, that's why the cross was necessary. But the more you pray and grow your relationship with Christ, the more like Him you'll become. Your words will drip with kindness. Your actions will be motivated by love. When you allow God to continually soften your heart, it will start to beat for what His beats for -

people.