Light bulb and salt shaker
A light bulb with salt pouring out of the bottom.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all 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 who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14–16

Of all the possible uses for a light, it is evident in Matthew 5 that Jesus has in mind the bringing of illumination through the revelation of God’s will for his people. John refers to Jesus as the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).

So, it is not a reach to assume that those who would come after Jesus should reflect that light. Like the bright street, lamps provide illumination to dark city streets, Christians are called by the Light of the World to allow their good works to shine brightly before the rest of the world so that others may praise God.

To be clear, good works flow naturally out of the heart of the believer.  Good works are a love response to what Jesus has done for us.  They stem from a heart claimed by the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart.  With that in mind, good works never are motivated by a desire for self-glorification rather they are always pointing people back to God and bringing glory to God.

Jesus chose these two powerful images in Matthew to make a critical point, being salt and light means to allow our witness in the world to make a kingdom impact.

What Impact Does Being Light have on society?

Photo by juv on Pexels.com

To help us gain further insight we look at the work of the prophet Isaiah.  These verses below were written once the people of Israel returned from exile in Babylon. The last chapters of Isaiah are filled with visions of hope for people whose lives had been uprooted and destroyed: and urgent warnings to prevent them from making the same mistakes again.  Isaiah is warning the people of Israel who are proud of their religious festivals and their holiness. They make fasting a big public production and ask why God isn’t impressed?  God, are you paying attention? They complain directly to God: “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” God! Give us some credit we are trying!

So God responds,

“Is not this the fast that I choose:

 

  to loose the bonds of wickedness,

 

      to undo the straps of the yoke,

 

      to let the oppressed go free,

 

      and to break every yoke?

 

      Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

 

      and bring the homeless poor into your house;

 

      when you see the naked, to cover him,

 

      and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

 

      Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

 

      and your healing shall spring up speedily;

 

      your righteousness shall go before you;

 

      the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.  Isaiah 58:6–8

Have we failed to be light?

Isaiah paints a very clear picture of what God desires.  God wants sincere worshippers.  People who worship God in Spirit and Truth, who live out their calling by letting their light shine before men, not to receive praise from God, but to point the lost and erring to God.  How does that look practically?  Isaiah lays out some concrete examples: Authentic worship: “let the oppressed go free, shares your bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into your house, covers the naked and don’t hide from your own people.” That is the life God calls the Christian to live. That is what Jesus was calling us to do when he said to be salt and light.  Go, love the unlovable.  Welcome the stranger.  Feed the hunger.  Clothed the naked and by doing so, you will bring glory to your Father in heaven.

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42 thoughts on “How Bright Is Your Light In The World?”
  1. Leading other people to God should always be the goal but not easy to do on a daily basis. My prayer is that “I will be a light for others to follow”. I think it’s more about leading my example and less about beating people over the head (so to speak) with your bible. 🙂

  2. Leading other people to God should always be the goal but not easy to do on a daily basis. My prayer is that “I will be a light for others to follow”. I think it’s more about leading my example and less about beating people over the head (so to speak) with your bible. 🙂

  3. Dawn Marie – I love God above all things. I fail to show this daily. And so I try again tomorrow. To do better. (No one can keep me from Heaven, except me.)
    Dawn Marie says:

    “good works flow naturally out of the heart of the believer.  Good works are a love response to what Jesus has done for us.” My ❤smiled whenI read this. This was a most beautiful way to describe WHY we feel “good” doing “good works!” Not for our own glory but as our “I love you too, Jesus” response back to Him! Thanks Keith for this lovely reminder! PS- The light salt-shaker graphic is awesome! Hugs!!

  4. Dawn Marie – I love God above all things. I fail to show this daily. And so I try again tomorrow. To do better. (No one can keep me from Heaven, except me.)
    Dawn Marie says:

    “good works flow naturally out of the heart of the believer.  Good works are a love response to what Jesus has done for us.” My ❤smiled whenI read this. This was a most beautiful way to describe WHY we feel “good” doing “good works!” Not for our own glory but as our “I love you too, Jesus” response back to Him! Thanks Keith for this lovely reminder! PS- The light salt-shaker graphic is awesome! Hugs!!

  5. Sometimes I do a thing with what I think is selfless motivation and just a desire to please God only once it’s done find myself fishing for praise and compliments from those around me.

  6. Great post. So often, my pride gets in the way in so many areas. I pray every morning to be a light for Jesus and for God to use me however He wishes. Then, the times He does, so often my first response is to feel prideful instead of grateful.

  7. emotionsoflife2016 – Hello, my name is…………. Wait a minute. My name is not important. I’m a wounded soul that loves to write everything that comes to my mind and what's more important, to my heart. I know some of the things I write are stupid and they may not even make sense to other people, but they make sense to me and that’s what matters. I am new to writing on the internet, so if you guys see any mistakes in my writing, please feel free to message me and give me your corrections. I am a firm believer in learning as much as possible from as many people as possible.
    emotionsoflife2016 says:

    Your questions got my mind going. Once again, phenomenal post

      1. emotionsoflife2016 – Hello, my name is…………. Wait a minute. My name is not important. I’m a wounded soul that loves to write everything that comes to my mind and what's more important, to my heart. I know some of the things I write are stupid and they may not even make sense to other people, but they make sense to me and that’s what matters. I am new to writing on the internet, so if you guys see any mistakes in my writing, please feel free to message me and give me your corrections. I am a firm believer in learning as much as possible from as many people as possible.
        emotionsoflife2016 says:

        It is my and my minds pleasure

  8. Lone Wolf Breathes – Northern Ireland – Welcome to my blog. The unusual name is simply a metaphor of a lone wolf breathing his thoughts out in this blog. My writing comes from a very deep part of me, so I thought this was appropriate. Some blogs may be humorous and could include mental health, my children, my bride, God, motorbikes, music, or any random thing I find amusing or infuriating. I hope you can find some inspiration here to fight the darkness of this world. If we encourage each other to look for the brightness we will find it all around us. I hope you may find humour in some blogs, as I feel humour is a very important attribute in life, it can lessen the load. Please do leave comments on my blogs if you wish, whether good or bad, I just appreciate the feedback. Thanks for reading, Stephen.
    Lone Wolf Breathes says:

    An excellent post, you write so well. Serving God is helping a homeless person, shining a light. I’m just an ordinary man just trying to shine a light into the darkness. I’ve just found you today so I’m following for more. Stephen.

  9. Lone Wolf Breathes – Northern Ireland – Welcome to my blog. The unusual name is simply a metaphor of a lone wolf breathing his thoughts out in this blog. My writing comes from a very deep part of me, so I thought this was appropriate. Some blogs may be humorous and could include mental health, my children, my bride, God, motorbikes, music, or any random thing I find amusing or infuriating. I hope you can find some inspiration here to fight the darkness of this world. If we encourage each other to look for the brightness we will find it all around us. I hope you may find humour in some blogs, as I feel humour is a very important attribute in life, it can lessen the load. Please do leave comments on my blogs if you wish, whether good or bad, I just appreciate the feedback. Thanks for reading, Stephen.
    Lone Wolf Breathes says:

    An excellent post, you write so well. Serving God is helping a homeless person, shining a light. I’m just an ordinary man just trying to shine a light into the darkness. I’ve just found you today so I’m following for more. Stephen.

  10. Amen, this has Truely been the word of the Week. Everyone is posting about Salt and Light and how we are called to be a light: )

      1. You’re welcome, you too! 😊🌻

  11. Amen, this has Truely been the word of the Week. Everyone is posting about Salt and Light and how we are called to be a light: )

  12. A few months ago, I also wrote a post which I haven`t published about being the salt and light of this world. Being an authentic worshiper of God requires genuine humility and submission to His authority. My prayer often involves asking God to help me be more humble and to make my faith strong.
    Thank you for sharing this! It gives me more insight about the topic.
    ❀Grace ❀

  13. Marshall at Sharing God's Story (https://SharingGodsStory.net) – New England, America – I follow Jesus Christ as a worship musician, writer, and speaker. I share God's incredible story in my life, a story of healing from brokenness, addiction, and failed health; a story of miraculous provision for me and my family; a story of studying His Word to find His purpose for me: sharing my time and talent to give a little hope to you...
    Marshall at Sharing God's Story (https://SharingGodsStory.net) says:

    I love the pic! Good points…

  14. Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) – Born and raised in Portsmouth, VA, I eventually landed in upstate SC because when God calls I move. I gave my life to Christ in 1987 and surrendered to the call to ministry in 1997. I am a three-time graduate from Liberty University and Theological Seminary: BS in Religion (2003), the MA in Religion (Leadership concentration - 2006), and the Master of Divinity (Pastoral Ministries - 2013). I have served as a worship leader and senior pastor in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia since 1996. After experiencing a divorce, God graciously gave me my wife, Jennifer, whom I married in September 2015. Between the two of us, we have 7 children. Jennifer and I both love people and long to see them enter into a relationship with Christ and walk in the power of His Spirit. I pray that these thoughts I share will challenge and inspire you to greater heights and deeper depths for the glory of Christ.
    Matthew Winters (The Comeback Pastor) says:

    Preach it, my brother! Good stuff!

  15. Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) – Born and raised in Portsmouth, VA, I eventually landed in upstate SC because when God calls I move. I gave my life to Christ in 1987 and surrendered to the call to ministry in 1997. I am a three-time graduate from Liberty University and Theological Seminary: BS in Religion (2003), the MA in Religion (Leadership concentration - 2006), and the Master of Divinity (Pastoral Ministries - 2013). I have served as a worship leader and senior pastor in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia since 1996. After experiencing a divorce, God graciously gave me my wife, Jennifer, whom I married in September 2015. Between the two of us, we have 7 children. Jennifer and I both love people and long to see them enter into a relationship with Christ and walk in the power of His Spirit. I pray that these thoughts I share will challenge and inspire you to greater heights and deeper depths for the glory of Christ.
    Matthew Winters (The Comeback Pastor) says:

    Preach it, my brother! Good stuff!

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