Matthew 5:14 begins, “You are the light of the world.” This is not a passing thought. Jesus asserts this truth with clear intent.  There is profound purpose found in verse 16: so that others may praise your Father in heaven. We may not feel like we’re God’s light.  That’s irrelevant.  This verse says that those in Christ are light and it personally challenges me to try and understand exactly what God means by it.

Look at Ephesians 5:8 which says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Here again that we see an unqualified declaration that we are light in the Lord.  Reading these verses in context indicate that they are meant as practical instruction regarding the way we live.

One more: “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts…”  You really, really have to read this in its entire context to get the whole picture. We have God’s light in these (broken) jars of clay to show God’s unsurpassing power in us!

The apostle Paul wrote many of the New Testament books of the Bible and he gives a lot of personal insight regarding how we should live.  One of my favorites is Galatians 2:20 where he says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” I believe this is a key to understanding our spiritual life in this world.  “The life I live in the body, I live by faith.”

I wake up in the morning thankful for another day of life in the body.  And whether it looks like I’m going to have a good day or a bad day, I recall and acknowledge that I live by faith in the Son of God.  If you and your wife are on an extended romantic vacation at a tropical resort, live each day by faith.  If you are battling severe illness, overwhelming financial difficulties, employment struggles, tension at home, and depression—decide to live each day by faith.  Put your hope in the One Who can be trusted because He is almighty, holy, and He loves you and me.

The text in Ephesians 5 gives us valuable insight: “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.” (v. 13, 14a) Our very lives are to shine forth God’s light so that everything becomes visible. Have you ever struggled trying to heal the blindness of this world? You can’t, but God’s light in you can penetrate even to the depths of one’s soul. People will notice when you walk in the light and live by faith. Their need for God and His salvation will be exposed.

Our life of light yields goodness, righteousness, truth, and good deeds for which others will glorify the Father in Heaven. A life of faith personally brings us joy, peace, and hope (Rom. 5:13). Live by faith; Live as children of light. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world!” Don’t hide yourself under a basket, let your light shine!