You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5:14 (AMP)
A light bulb has the potential to shine. The moment you connect the bulb to an energy source it shines forth light and illumines the whole area. Jesus is the light of the world (1 John 1:5 & John 8:12), but He also calls us the light of the world. Christ is the “energy source” and He is the true light inside of every believer. When He lives through us, we shine forth the light and people can see Him in us. This doesn’t mean we should look at the life of Jesus and try to live up to a standard of what we think we should be. Let me explain.
Christianity is not about people that try to live like Christ, but it is about Christ living through people!
So, when Jesus says, “Let your light so shine,” the first thing we must do is to stop trying to shine by depending on our own strength. Why? Because of the fact that the true Light is already inside of us, we were recreated, made to shine. Jesus didn’t say, “Please try and be the light.” He said, “You ARE the light.” When we try to shine, it is like putting a bucket over a light that is already shining, but the moment we realize who we are, the bucket is removed and we simply shine because that is what we were made for. Any emphasis that is placed on us to try and live better, be better, try harder etc, will put us in this type of self-effort. A lot of believers are bombarded with teachings that inherently draws their attention to themselves, which only results in them trying harder and trusting in their own efforts. This actually takes them further away from the place where they trust and depend on Him. When the emphasis is on the right place, placed on Jesus, we begin to let go of our own efforts and we start to depend on Him. That is when we will shine forth His light. Christianity is not about DOING, but it is about BEING. We cannot live like Jesus, but we can be a vessel (a light bulb) that reveals Him to all around us. We can connect to the “energy source.” Through relationship with Jesus, by believing and then yielding to Him, we allow Him to live His life through us.
To shine forth the light of Christ also means that we will do the works of light (John 9). The works of light that reveals Jesus to the world is His signs, wonders and miracles. He wants to do the very same works that He did when He was on earth and even greater through us. (John 14 verse 12). Just let go of dead religion and the traditions of men today. Look to Christ, depend on Him and let Him shine.
ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! – Isaiah 60:1