Reflecting the Light

Reflecting the Light

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

Chapters 5-6-7 of Matthew record Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” The “Beatitudes” are the introduction to the sermon... and they reveal what the inward transformation of God’s grace, actually looks like. Things like being merciful, pure in heart, humble... they’re characteristics of a Redeemed people.

Of course, we don’t naturally walk in purity, humility, or peace... nor do we naturally hunger and thirst for righteousness. But when God calls us, that all changes... because He transforms us... He re-creates us... He alters our desires and our affections. Christ, who is the true Light, shines His light into our hearts & lives, and then empowers us to reflect His light in the world. It’s something we’re compelled to do.

Jesus does not say, “You should try to become the light of the world.” He says: “You are the light of the world.” That identity marks every true believer in Christ, by faith.

Of course, we need to understand that, as believers, none of us create our own spiritual light. Any light we have comes from Christ Himself.

Jesus said in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Before we come to Faith in Christ, the Bible says we were spiritually blind and lost in darkness. Sin affects not only what we do, but how we think, what we love, and what we worship.

But all of that changes, when we receive Christ, and exalt him as Lord.

God’s Word tell us plainly: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8) and “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Our salvation is not about becoming more religious or “better person.” It’s not about being “good enough” because we’ll never be “good enough.” Our salvation is the miraculous work of God’s grace, in Christ... that causes us to reflect that grace, freely given, to others.

Thomas Watson said: “Grace does not make a man sinless, but it makes him shine with heavenly brightness in the eyes of others.”

It’s kinda like the way the moon works. The moon has absolutely no light of its own; it reflects the light of the sun. As Christians, as believers, we reflect the light of Christ.

John Calvin said: “Christ does not merely communicate the light to His people, but makes them partakers of it, so that they shine in the midst of darkness.”

The world around us desperately needs us to be the light Christ enables us to be! We live in a world filled with confusion, fear, anger, immorality, and spiritual apathy. People search for meaning in politics, and wealth, or pleasure, but remain empty... because they’re blinded to the ONLY Light that gives abundant life.

Of course, it’s into that darkness, Christ sends His church.

Philippians 2:15 says believers are to live: “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

So maybe we should ask ourselves: Am I reflecting Christ, or blending into the darkness?

The fact is: Real grace always produces visible fruit. A changed heart will always produces a changed life.

In other words, genuine Faith is visible Faith. Jesus never intended for His followers to hide their faith or quietly blend into the world. He said, “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Christ calls His people to stand out - not through arrogance or self-righteousness, but through holiness, truth, love, and faithfulness.

Just a few verses later, Jesus says in Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The goal of the Christian life is not to draw attention to ourselves. But to point people to God.

1 Peter 2:9 says: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

The church is meant to be different from the world because we belong to a different King. Our only King is Jesus.

And our witness to the world is intimately connected to how we live, as subjects of Christ. And living, “A holy life is the strongest argument for Christianity.” (Richard Baxter)

And John Owen famously warned: “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”

When the church becomes compromised by sin, or complacent to sin... its witness grows dim. But when we, as believers, walk in humility with Christ... when we obey His Word, and remain faithful... the light of Christ shines brightly.

NONE of this is to say (or claim) that we’re perfect. Christians are not perfect. We still struggle in our trespasses. But there SHOULD ALWAYS be a growing pattern of repentance, obedience, and spiritual maturity evident in the lives of the Faithful. Which shows. Jesus says a city set on a hill “cannot be hidden.”

That’s an encouraging reminder. Christ will preserve His church in every generation. No matter how dark the culture becomes, the light of the gospel will never be extinguished.

Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Throughout history, God has always preserved a faithful witness:

The early Christians shined in the darkness of pagan Rome.

The Reformers stood for truth in times of corruption.

The Puritans remained committed to biblical holiness and sound doctrine, despite persecution.

You and I are here today because of their faith, and their dogged determination to BE the Light of Christ!

And Christ still calls His people to do no less, today.

Maybe we should be asking ourselves:

Is my faith visible in everyday life?

Do my words and actions point people toward Christ?

Have I hidden my witness out of fear or compromise?

Would the people around me know I belong to Jesus?

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

What an awesome privilege... and responsibility. Amen.