E07: You are the light of the world!

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16. In this podcast episode we discuss how we become those lights and how our Father can be glorified by our lives.

Transcript: “Living the Gospel” podcast, Episode 7: You are the light of the world!

This is ActiveChristianity’s “Living the Gospel” podcast. Join us as we explore different aspects of the gospel, according to the Bible, and how we can put it into practice in the daily life.

Kathy: Hi everyone, welcome back! And if you’re listening for the first time, welcome to “Living the Gospel” podcast. I’m Kathy, from the ActiveChristianity editorial team …

Julia: And I’m Julia. I love the title of our podcast: “Living the Gospel.” Because that’s the whole point, isn’t it? The gospel is not just meant to be heard and enjoyed as nice, comforting words. It’s meant to be lived! I think it’s very fitting, considering that, that our topic today is being a light. It’s written in Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Kathy: I think that those verses really paint a picture of what our lives can be like. So, then the question is, Julia, how can we become a light that shines like that? What would you say?

Julia: Forget me, let’s look at what Jesus said! In John 8:9 it says: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” So it’s actually not complicated, at all. We have Jesus as our Forerunner, and if we follow Him, in other words, if we keep His commandments, we get this light that shines for all the world to see.

Kathy: It makes me think of that well-known quote: “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” So, we can say so much with our lives, without actually saying anything, if we’re living the life. And our lives can show what God is able to do in someone if we are willing and obedient to keep Jesus’ commandments.

Julia: Exactly. The article that we’re going to be listening to in today’s podcast is called: “You can be the light in a dark world.” And you actually wrote this one Kathy.

Kathy: Yes.

Julia: Why? What was the inspiration for it?

Kathy: Actually, this article was inspired by a conversation that I had with a friend many years ago, when we were quite young. We were going for a walk together, it was late at night, and we were just looking up at the sky full of stars and, you know, that kind of gets the imagination going a bit, and then we were thinking about how God is up there, and He’s looking down here at this earth that He created, and He’s seeing how dark this world has become. And it really has become a very dark place, in a lot of ways. And then we were talking about how we can be these lights that are shining in this world, and when God looks down from heaven, amongst all the sorrow that He sees down here, He can see these lights that are shining brightly, and how much joy that can bring to God to see these faithful ones. So, I just remember this conversation; I was so excited about it, that it’s clear in my mind, even though it was, honestly, probably close to 20 years ago. So, that image has just really stayed with me over the years, and it’s been an inspiration for me, that I should be one of these flames, that God looks down on the earth and He sees this flame where I am.

Julia: Just burning brightly there.

Kathy: Just burning brightly. And that can bring joy to God. So I wanted to write this article because I wanted to share that inspiration, in case it could encourage others to make the right choices in their day-to-day lives as well, just as it has always been encouraging for me.

Julia: And the thing is, it all sounds … I mean, you paint this picture, and it sounds kind of awe-inspiring, and maybe even a bit dramatic but actually, it just consists of really small things. Just the little situations of daily life. Standing up against gossiping, for example. Choosing to show love when we’re treated badly. Not giving in to outbursts of temper, maybe. Just little things like that, make us happy, first of all, and bring God and Jesus such joy to see that.

Kathy: So it is these things like that, that you mention, but also inwardly, like, those things that no one sees, where I choose to keep my thoughts pure, I don’t allow things like irritation, or pride, or selfishness, or any kind of lusts to take over my thoughts, either. So that my thoughts are pure, as well as my actions. So, in that way I’m standing against that spirit that is so strong in today’s world to serve myself and “look out for number one.” And instead, I choose to seek and to do only what’s pleasing to God, at the cost of my own will and ego!

Julia: Yeah, and just doing those little things that are inside where it seems like no one else can see, that actually is being that light in the dark world.

So, let’s read that article.

(Click to read:)
You can be the light in a dark world! 

Kathy: So, like I said, there’s enough darkness in this world. I, and you, are called to be lights.

Julia: Exactly.

Kathy: So, the way to do that is to be obedient to the Word. The Word is light, and if the Word becomes my life, then I become a light.

Julia: It’s so simple, actually. And it’s for you and me in our day-to-day lives. It doesn’t matter who you are. It’s not some big fancy thing. You can burn brightly where you are, so that your light can glorify your Father in heaven. And if this is your intention, and your whole desire, then God will strengthen you, so that you can resist the evil every single time, so that your light never goes out.

Kathy: Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for listening today. Let’s go out and be these lights in the world today!

Julia: Yes. And remember that you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily encouragement.

Kathy: I’ll be back next week with Milenko, to talk about how we can best use our talents. So, we’ll see you then!

Julia: Bye everyone!