You Are The Light Of The World
Is It Time To Clean House
MATHEW 5:14-16
“”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.
”Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.14-16.nkj
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You cannot hide a city on a hilltop, for its light can be seen for miles. Nor does one put a light under a basket, you put it high where it will illuminate the whole area.
As God’s very own people, He wants us to be noticed, living right, doing good, shining for Christ as His representatives.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
II Corinthians 5:20 NKJV
Paul said, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (PHILIPPIANS 2:14-15).”
We Spirit filled believers must be seen by the world as different, not as judges condemning, or moaning and complaining, or corrupt or greedy or heartless, full of gossip, but as Christ-like people; peaceful, joyful, and wise, loyal and true, and being seen to care for others, not just with our words, but by our actions.
We put God’s light under a basket by being quiet when we should speak out, by going along with the crowd to fit in, by ignoring the needs of others when we are in a position to help, and by not sharing the Good News when opportunity is at hand.
God’s light never stops shining, it can be seen for miles-the darkness can not comprehend it (JOHN 1:5), nor can it hide neither our good deeds nor evil.
God’s light exposes all truth. Therefore , their are always consequences for our actions and justice will come to all for both their good and evil deeds.
What does the world see in you? Do you shine for Christ, or do you simply fit in as one of the crowd in this crooked and perverse world? Do they see Christ in you?
Do you struggle to do what is right and inadvertently do what is wrong? Do you find it difficult to do what you ought? Paul had this very struggle (ROMANS 7:15). But he said, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”
Romans 7:15-20 NKJV
“So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.”
But Paul said, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Romans 7:24-25 NKJV
My beloved, if you are struggling with sin, repeatedly doing what you know is wrong, or struggling to do what you ought, maybe it’s time to clean house through deliverance and be set free to live right with God; free to do good and shine for Christ.
David has given us the perfect prayer that will reveal the sin within, a prayer that can lead us to deliverance and life everlasting in Palm 139.
He prayed, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalms 139:1-24 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
