A Light to the Nations

Matthew 5:14a is rich in meaning for all believers and for all those seeking to understand what it means to be a believer.  However, this was not the first time we were called to venture out into the world to carry His light into the darkness.

In Isaiah 42:6 we also read, “I shaped you and made you a covenant for the people, to be a light for the nations.”  Although this passage is typically referred to as relating to the Messiah, it indirectly applies to believers as bearers of His light to others.  With such congruity between the Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Apostolic (the New Testament) Scriptures, can we deny the reality that each one of us, believers in the God Most High, has a mission to shine His light into the world’s darkness?

The real question is not what we ought to be doing, but how we are to do it?  To focus on this question, let’s first examine what the light is we are to share.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, the light corresponds to Torah, God’s Life Instructions.  We may read of this in Psalm 119:105, where King David writes: “Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path.”  In other words, God’s Torah guides our steps into the world and keeps our path straight and sure.  If we follow His ethical standards in our interactions with others, we will never falter. 

However, there is more to it than that.

Yahweh has given us gifts to share with the world.  These may be tangible, such as food, clothing or money to help those who are needy.  These gifts may also be the more important intangible type – our time, love and encouragement.

Whenever we give to those in need of assistance, we are shining Elohim’s light into the dark places.  Whenever we show agape love, the love of God, to others, we display His love to them.  Each display of light, our time, our love and our encouragement drives the darkness that much further away, if only for an instant.  This gives entry to the Holy Spirit to use our light in wonderous ways.

One more issue, which must be heard by many, it seems — we are accountable for the light we do or do not share.  We will be required to account for the times we shared our light to the world and those times we did not.  There will be no balancing of good and evil, as some believe.  Rather, this will be our justification as those who have signed-up to be His disciples, disciples of light.

How bright is the light you are shining into the world? 

CONSIDER:  Do you have gifts hidden from view?  Are you hiding your light under a basket?

ACTION:  The time is fast approaching when we will need to give an accounting.  Step out and display your gifts; shine your light into the world and be part of driving back the darkness.

PRAYER:  Dear Abba, our Heavenly Father, if my light is not getting into the world, please help me be bolder.  Propel me into the world and encourage me with Your courage and with Your strength.  In Your precious name I pray.