The Power of Christians as Light

Matthew 5:14-16

June 16, 2002

 

Evangelicals have more resources, programs, and mechanical abilities today than at any period in history. Yet it seems that with all of the clever ideas and compounded resources, we are accomplishing very little. The moral condition of our culture spirals downward. Churches appear to be more interested in consuming their energies upon feeling good than living holy lives and giving themselves in service to others. Homes of confessing Christians look no different than their worldly counterpart. Immoral behavior among Christian teens is on par with non-Christian youth. With all the hypocrisy the world apparently does not take Christianity very seriously. Can you blame them?

 

Could it be that in our sophistication, self-satisfaction, and jettisoning of theological moorings that we have lost sight of the simplicity of being Christians in a dark world? Unless there is a distinction about us in the way we live, think, talk, relate, serve, and give, then we need not think the world will listen to our gospel messages however culturally adaptable they might be. Jesus Christ never intended us to divorce our ethics, behavior, minds, interests, leisure, demeanor, and charity from our gospel proclamation. The distinctiveness of Christian character, conduct, and conversation inevitably and naturally points men to Christ. It is not our winsome programs but our holy lives that works to transform culture. Are you living as light where Christ has appointed you? I want us to think together on how this passage may be the most critical text for understanding biblical evangelism in our day.

 

I. A declaration

 

Let's focus our thoughts back into the context of this passage. Jesus is setting forth the norms of kingdom life. What will citizens of His kingdom look like? How will they act? What are their responsibilities? How will they relate to the world? How will they differ from the world? Those questions are being answered for us in the Sermon on the Mount. The basis of every ethical exhortation is found in the Beatitudes-where Christ explains the character and mind of kingdom citizens. So we must not think that the power to be salt or light is derived from natural ingenuity, but rather it is the outworking of regenerative life. The new life is pictured in the Beatitudes then worked out in a multitude of practical ways in the balance of the Sermon.

 

As we keep this in mind we find that Jesus has already declared, "You are the salt of the earth," emphasizing that it is Christians, and Christians alone that have a preserving influence upon the natural degeneration of our culture. As salt stops rotting and decaying, even so Christians living like Christians arrests the decaying of our culture. Now the declaration takes on another dimension, "You are the light of the world." There are three aspects to understanding this divine declaration of Christians.

 

1. Identity of light

 

"You are the light of the world." The "you" is emphatic in the Greek text, so that we might translate it "You, and you alone are the light of the world." Jesus Christ intentionally singles out this group of peasants as so distinctly different from the world and so important for the world, that he calls them "the light of the world." We know that Jesus uses the same language of Himself in John 8:12, "I am the Light of the world." That passage speaks of light in an originative sense. He is the origin of such light so that He can add, "He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." Christians are light in a derivative sense in that the light we have comes as a result of relationship to Jesus Christ. We do not produce the light, but like the moon that reflects the light of the sun, we too reflect the light of His indwelling life.

 

But there is an added dimension to Christians being light. Not only do you reflect light, but you also have the essence of this light dwelling within you. Paul takes the same language, amplifying the meaning of "You are the light of the world." "For you were formerly darkness," that's the unregenerate condition, "but now you are Light in the Lord." That is, in the sphere of relationship to the Lord, through the new birth, you are now light because Christ dwells within you by His Spirit. You have been made a partaker of the divine nature (II Pet 1:3-4). So what are you to do? "Walk as children of Light" (Eph 5:8). Rather than displaying the deeds of darkness, live like those who have come to know the saving grace of God and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  Your "conduct must conform to that which is most essential in... [your] character" [Curtis Vaughan, Founders Study Guide Commentary: Ephesians, 109].

 

2. Implications of light

 

There is a very obvious implication found in Jesus' declaration. While Christians are light, the world is darkness. This is the term used to describe the lost condition. John tells us that there is no darkness in God (I John 1:5), which means that there is no sin, no moral question marks, and no blame in even the slightest degree. He uses the word "darkness" as a synonym for the world and for the unregenerate condition (2:8-9). Our Lord uses the same word to describe the whole world in rebellion against God, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). His saving work is the only way to be delivered from this darkness: "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46).

 

Darkness impairs vision. In a spiritual sense, the kind of darkness that the Bible speaks of impairs a person morally. He cannot see. He does not understand the effects of sin or even the root of it in the depravity of the human heart. His entire way of thinking is warped by the darkness. His understanding has been switched off when it comes to grasping moral issues related to his own life. And so he joins organizations that go to great lengths to protect snail darters or endangered fish or certain species of animals but then supports the abortion of an unborn child. In his mind a snail or a mouse or a whale has as much value as a human being that has been made in the image of God. His thinking is warped by the darkness. He shakes his head in disgust over the gunning down of eight innocent people then plugs in his music that advocates killing, immorality, and drugs or sits down to three hours of non-stop violence in front of the television. Darkness has blinded his ability to see his own hypocrisy. A politician having an affair with an intern or a serial rapist being released from prison appalls him, but then he sits down in front of a screen and indulges his mind in pornography on the Internet. Darkness has twisted his thinking so that he has no objective standard of morality or a sense of approaching judgment.

 

What does this have to do with Christians? Everything! Jesus has declared that we are "the light of the world," so that in the light of holiness displayed in Christians even an unbeliever begins to see himself as he really is. That is what happened with Jesus' ministry. The religious leaders were furious with him, not because he had even said anything to them, but because his holy life exposed the darkness in their hearts. When Jesus met the woman of Samaria, he had a brief conversation with her. He mentioned one aspect of her life, that she was living with a man that was not her husband to add to the five husbands she had previously. But her comment to her city was, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done" (John 4:29 italics added). Everything wicked and dark in her life came to the surface by seeing and hearing Jesus Christ. It is this effect that the light of holiness has in the midst of darkness.

 

3. Dimensions of light

 

"You are the light of the world," declares Christians-all Christians, to be in a unique position wherever we are. In this regard, "light" is not our sermons or religious platitudes, it is the evidence of regenerate lives that shows up in "good works." Don Carson comments, "Light is a universal religious symbol. In the OT as in the NT, it most frequently symbolizes purity as opposed to filth, truth or knowledge as opposed to error or ignorance, and divine revelation and presence as opposed to reprobation and abandonment by God" [EBC, Matthew, vol. I, 139].

 

First, light implies purity. It is the character of your life lived out in moral purity against the backdrop of a world steeped in a love for the immoral. That is a noticeable trait in our day! As we live in moral purity it catches the eye of the world about us. Someone is watching. Someone sees that we exercise restraint or that we do not have a taste for the impure, that we turn away from the dirty talk, that we refuse to gaze at pornographic material that makes it way into the dorm or the office. And it gets the world's attention. This was brought home in a clear way during our trip to Brazil last week. That country has been plunged into gross immorality and sensuality. For Brazilian men that can afford it a concubine is the norm. But little rays of light have an effect in that kind of scene. Pastor Kevin Millard's language teacher told him he admired him because he was faithful to his wife, unlike most of the men that this teacher knows. Moral purity got the attention of this man where a sermon might not.

 

Second, light implies knowledge of truth. Christians are directed by what they know not by what they feel. There is a big difference between the Christian's way and the world's way. The world goes by what it feels or desires. It follows carnal impulses. It is easily swayed by the shrewd manipulation of the media. But the Christian has been transformed by the objective truth of Scripture. He has an anchor in his life. When going through crisis times he finds refuge in the Word of God. The unbeliever gropes in darkness, but the Christian finds daily direction in his life through the Word. He seeks to know the commands of the Lord and obey them. But such a thought seems folly to the world until he watches the Christian long enough. Then he begins to realize that the Christian's life is ordered, disciplined, purposeful, and fruitful. It gets his attention so that he either reacts to the gospel or responds to it.

 

Third, light implies revelation. This means that there is a verbal dimension to light in explaining the gospel. But should the gospel not be part of our daily conversation as believers? We are to live in the truth of the gospel so that naturally we speak of it in daily conversations. This brings light to those in darkness, for it is not only the light of revelation spoken but also light practiced in purity and truth. And this is the way of consistent New Testament evangelism.

 

II. An explanation

 

By the use of two images, Jesus explains what he means by "You are the light of the world."

 

1. Christian's position

 

The first image is that of a city on a mountain in the ancient world. "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Many of the ancient cities were made of white limestone so that as the sun began to set its rays caused the city walls to glow, being noticeable for miles around. It was especially helpful for travelers that found themselves on the road at night. With no street lights or lights for traveling, the illuminating glow of a city with the tiny oil lamps in every home provided light for their journey. We have some trouble imagining this since we have streetlights and headlights on our journeys. But in other centuries there was a dependence upon even the faintest light to help direct one's journey.

 

A city on a hill with the little oil lamps glowing in every home could not be hidden. Here's the point that our Lord is making. Jesus Christ has put us in a position to be noticed for His glory. "A city set" is more aptly, 'a city placed'. It was not there by accident. Plans were made to put the city in that kind of distinguishing and noticeable location. When the Lord saved you and put the light of His own life within you, he put you right where he wanted you to be so that you might be that city that cannot be hidden. He has positioned you in the world to stand out and be noticed, not for any kind of self-aggrandizement of course, but as a light for the gospel of Christ.

 

And how does this happen? It is by your "good works" - works of love and charity to others, works of kindness and service, works of humility and gentleness, works of caring for those in need that you are like a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. In God's providence he has you at a particular work place or neighborhood or school so that you might be to those about you, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. You are not to be secret with your Christianity. As John Stott expressed, "We are not to pretend to be other than we are, but be willing for our Christianity to be visible to all" [Christian Counter-Culture, 62].

 

2. Christian's occupation

 

The next image is of someone lighting a lamp in a house. We have dozens of lights in our homes but the few oil lamps that were in ancient homes put forth a faint glow, just enough to illumine their way. We get a glimpse of this when the power goes out and we bring out the candles. You may not be able to thread a needle during such times but you can at least see your way around and survive the darkness. The statement is almost humorous to the ancients: "nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." The purpose of the lamp was to enable everyone in the house to be able to see. With few windows in the house, the simple lamps provided for a major need.

 

Here is the point that Jesus is making. As "the light of the world" you are to busy yourself with helping others see Jesus Christ. A lamp was not lit and placed under a basket so that no one could profit from its light. Neither have you been lighted by the gospel of Jesus Christ so that you can hide your Christianity. You are to see your occupation as a lamp lighting the way to Christ wherever the Lord has placed you.

 

There is something liberating in these two images. Modern evangelicalism has beaten into our heads that we are to witness for Christ. And indeed, we are to witness for Christ. But there is something more foundational than our being armed with a methodology for witnessing. We are witnesses for Christ in the place he has put us. That's what Jesus is explaining. Witnessing is not so much something you do as something you are. Otherwise by neglecting being "light" and neglecting "good works" as the means that Christ has ordained to point others to him, we must reduce the gospel to something mechanical. It loses its sense of dynamism by a life that is wholly living out the gospel and becomes only a mechanical parroting of certain phrases or lines in an effort to squeeze out a decision by an unwilling party. As "the light of the world" there is a beauty about your life that makes the gospel appealing. Like the city on the hill you are placed to draw attention to Christ. Like the lamp in the house, you are engaged in the work of illuminating the truth of the gospel through your life and lips. Because you are so distinctly different from the darkness around you, then you have something to say to those who are enslaved by darkness. They see your liberty and wonder how you are different. They see the purity of your life and wonder how you can live the way you do. That makes the gospel message that we speak to others real and lively. They can see the gospel at work in your conduct and character so they are open to hearing the gospel from your conversation. The truth of the gospel is made palatable and believable, not by compromising its message, but by living a holy life that reflects the gospel. The greatest need in our evangelism today is not a new method but for Christians to live like genuine Christians.

 

III. The exhortation

 

And thus we have the exhortation, "Let your light shine." We are reminded in verse 16 that the globes of our earthy vessels sometimes become sooty and dirty so that the light is not shining through. Hear the word of Christ, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

 

1. A life to embrace

 

Here is the only command in this passage. The declaration, "You are the light of the world," is followed by an explanation using the images of a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden and the lighting of a lamp for functional use in the home. Now the exhortation: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." You are "light in the Lord" so now "walk as children of light." This means that we are to intentionally seek to let the light of "good works" shine for the glory of our Father. The word for "good" implies an attractiveness or beauty about our works. In other words, you are to be conscious of serving others, guarding your conversation, helping those in need, being diligent in your labors, being a friend to the down-and-out, knowing that in all this you are faithfully displaying the reality of your faith. It is exactly what James wrote, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (2:18). Remember that he spoke this in the context of helping brothers or sisters in need. In that setting there is a display of light shining to the glory of the Father, a beauty and attractiveness of Christians compassionately serving others.

 

When I was a teenager I would often go camping with some of my friends. I recall an occasion when the Coleman lantern we had seemed to be extremely dull. So someone took it apart, cleaned the globe, and then re-lit the lantern. The change of lighting was drastic! What had been a faint light before was now a bright light. There may be a few "globes" that need to be cleaned today. You don't need light because you are light in the Lord. But you do need to intentionally polish the globe of your life, the way you talk, the way you view life, your attitudes, your disciplines so that the light will be more clearly seen.

 

Are there areas in your life that seem to dull or inhibit the light of Christ? Maybe you are trying to see how closely you can resemble the world without being too overtly worldly. I think this is a temptation faced by our young people as well as by adults. John Stott has written, "Probably the greatest tragedy of the church throughout its long and chequered history has been its constant tendency to conform to the prevailing culture instead of developing a Christian counter-culture" [63]. We must ask the Holy Spirit to expose our hearts at this point, to see if we have consciously or unconsciously been attempting to be absorbed into the culture rather than living like a Christian in the culture. I am not suggesting to you that it is easy to let your light shine or that it is done effortlessly or without a price. But what I'm exhorting each of us to do is to obey our Lord, to let our light shine through good works. It will demand discipline of you to keep your focus upon Christ. It will demand that you use your time differently than your friends who are living in darkness. It will demand that you bear up when being chided for living like a Christian. It will demand that you walk in humility and that you demonstrate a servant spirit. It will demand that you live publicly as a Christian, refusing to be silent when it comes to opportunities to discuss Christ with others. Jesus Christ, The Light of the world, will faithfully strengthen all of the little lights to reflect His life.

 

2. A witness to see

 

Notice that as the light is shining through, it is for the purpose "that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." The "they" does not refer to fellow believers but to those that are still in darkness. They are watching you even when you do not realize it. Perhaps it is the neighbor that never speaks but quietly he watches you, or the ornery person at work that watches how you respond to him. Or maybe it is the student that sits in your class during the school year and never says a word to you, but she is watching you. We do not control the "they," we are to just be faithful to let the light shine where Christ has put us.

 

R. L. Dabney told a story of a very worldly-minded attorney in the 19th century that had nothing for Christianity. After years of ungodly living and scorning of Christians, as he grew old he went to live with his sister who happened to be a Christian. Her son was a pastor, and he had opportunity to engage the old man in conversation about Christ and even recommend some books to him. Some time later, ill in health, the old attorney asked to confess his faith in Christ publicly. The nephew was eager to get the full story and wondered if his conversation had been the instrument of turning the callused man's heart to Christ. But as the story unfolded he discovered that it was not the pastor's words or even the books that he recommended that the man read, but it was the godly life of the pastor's sister, still living at home and around the old man. He saw her godliness and radiance as a Christian in every situation, and it caused him to seek the Lord to know that same relationship to Jesus Christ. Dabney adds, "The light of a holy example is the gospel's main argument" [Discussions of Robert Lewis Dabney, vol. I, 114]. Is your life a good argument for the gospel?

 

Conclusion

 

What kind of argument is found in your life for being a follower of Jesus Christ? Let your light shine so that the Father might be glorified through your good works, and so that all who see you might find an attraction to Jesus Christ.

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