In the Light

Christians are supposed to be the light of the world, but you can't be a light if you're not plugged in.

Jesus calls his disciples and us the light of the world: You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16.

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by: [1] being quiet when we should speak, [2] going along with the crowd, [3] denying the light, [4] letting sin dim our light, [5] not explaining our light to others, or [6] ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth - don't shut your light off from the rest of the world.

If you want others to see Christ in you, then you must put on love and display the Fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:16-20

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's control - we can't obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the spirit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to His. We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love God and our neighbors. Which of these qualities do you want the spirit to produce in you?

However, that requires spending time in God's presence. Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." The rest of Psalm 91 goes on to list amazing promises that will come true in your life if you fulfill the first two verses; that is, if you dwell in God's presence and confidently trust in Him.

In order to be a light to the world, we must stay plugged in to God by dwelling in His presence.

DC Talk had a song from 1995 that was titled "In the light"

listen here

I wanna be in the light

as you are in the light

I wanna shine like the stars

in the Heavens

Oh, Lord be my light

and be my Salvation

'cause all I want is to be in the light