Heart Light

"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 NKJV

There was a  song we used to sing in Sunday school called This Little light of mine.  Even today, I find myself singing this old song.  Why?  Because it reminds me even today of just how Jesus manifests Himself in our world today.  Yes, our Lord can and does present Himself to the world even today.  How does He do this?  I mean, the Lord Jesus died on a Roman cross a few thousand years ago, right?  Well, Jesus today has a very convenient vessel in which to manifest Himself into our world and the lives of others.  That vessel is none other than we who trust and believe in Him.  For if Jesus indeed lives within those who believe today, then He certainly can use us as a platform to introduce His gospel to those who would otherwise not know Him.  It is through us that the message of Christ is given to others.  It is how I received Him, and it is how generations that come after me will hear of Jesus also.  As we see in Matthew 5:14 as Jesus teaches His sermon on the Mount of Olives, He refers to those who believe as the "Light of the world."  What is that light?  Well, I think we get a clue to just what Jesus was speaking of in verse 16 of Matthew 5.  It is here where Jesus encourages us to, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your  good works and glorify your father in heaven."

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Do all things without complaining or disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Philippians 2: 12-15 NKJV

That "light" that Jesus refers to in His sermon on the mount, I believe, is Himself in others, in us.  For when others see Jesus manifested in our good works towards others, they may associate them with our heavenly Father.  For it is through the grace of God that Jesus came to dwell within us, replacing our former sin spirit with His own.  Therefore, these vessels of our bodies are now home to Christ.  THIS is how Jesus manifests Himself to the world today, through those who believe in Him.  Those who let their lights shine into the world for all to see.  Is this not God working through us?  I believe so.  Now, can Jesus indeed work through those who have yet to accept Him?  Absolutely!  However, for the sake of this example in scripture, it is we who are the light in which the good works of Jesus shine through.  It is through us that others may come to accept Him as we have.  It is also through us that the good works of our Lord will be manifested, that others may come to know and glorify our Lord.

~Scott~