Bible Society of South Africa
Neville Turley

Time is precious – Day 19

Time to get proactive

Bible text(s)

Matthew 5

14“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16GNBOpen in Bible reader

Our Lord Jesus Christ was preaching the Sermon on the Mount to his followers, when he declared: “You are the light of the world”. In an earlier stage of his ministry, Jesus had stated: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

Jesus was not contradicting what he had said before. He, who had brought the light of the gospel to the world, was telling his followers that they must now take the gospel to those still living in darkness.

The Sermon on the Mount is binding on all Christians. At this moment in time Jesus is saying to you and to me: “You are the light of the world.”

It is a most wonderful compliment from the Saviour himself and it means that it is time for us to become proactive. We dare not be closet Christians hiding our faith “under a bowl”. We are to be lamps reflecting the light of Christ’s love to all.

In short, we who follow him must lead lives that other people admire and want to emulate. Not because of who we are, but for what we have as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is important to be willing to share our Christian testimony when appropriate, but actions always speak louder than words. Living our Christian faith will make an even greater impact.

The Lord is telling us to bring light to the world. Will you be a light bearer for him?

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