Matthew 5:14 KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Acts 2:47 KJV
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
As a Christian, YOU are the Church.
Not the buildings with the steeples, bell towers, altars and pews, but you and all other living Christians around the world make up the Church.
God reveals his majesty and power through the things we see around us and also through those who are His children.
God's First Chosen People
Under the Old Covenant, God chose a small group of people to show the world who and what He is. These Israelites were commissioned to be the ambassadors of God, teaching the world about Him.
Refer to the following scriptures;
Jeremiah 33:8-9 New International Version
8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
Psalm 67:1-2 New International Version
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—[b]
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
Isaiah 60:1-3 New International Version
1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
YOU Are Chosen To Shine
In the master plan of God, these same Israelites would be the earthly lineage of the Messiah and usher in the New Covenant of God.
No longer would humans require a priest or high priest to make intercession for them or make atonement for their sins.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would make the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and become our High Priest, through whom we are reconciled with God.
Now, as God’s children through belief in Jesus Christ, we are the chosen ones to show the world God’s love, mercy and grace.
Peter says so very clearly in the following verse;
1 Peter 2:9 New International Version
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Think about the words of Peter for a moment. Think about the awesome blessing God has bestowed upon us as His children. Also, think of the responsibility that comes with it. Our life must declare His praises.
In addition, Jesus calls us the light of the world;
Matthew 5:14-16 New International Version
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Not only are we Christians the light of the world, we are to make sure that our light shines before others so that they can see God glorified and magnified in our lives.
How bright is your light shining?
Make sure that others can see it.
RVH