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Lighted Lives



"You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14 NKJV)



Jesus not only likens His followers to salt (see July 4 and 14) but also declares that we "are the light of the world." By making this statement, the Lord is declaring that there is a standard of expectation for the Christian's life. The world should see in our lives three things that light does.

First, light guides. If you've ever stumbled through the dark, you know how valuable light is as a guide. Christians have access to God's Word, which is described in Psalm 119:105 as a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. We have an amazing advantage as we walk in this world. The Scriptures guide us in our decisions, giving us a sense of confidence as we course through life, and non-believers notice this. When they see that we have a real sense of guidance and want it for themselves, we can, in turn, guide them to God.



Light also defines. Darkness conceals truth, but light defines and reveals it. John 3:19-21 tells us that those who love evil will walk in the darkness because they don't want their wickedness exposed. But believers enjoy dwelling in the light, and as we do, our lives help to define for others what's right and wrong. That's why when there's a moral dilemma in the workplace, people frequently say, Let's ask the Christian!



Lastly, light inspires. Light has a way of motivating and moving a person in the right direction. I can think of no better example of this than the Lord Himself. In John 8:12, He proclaimed Himself to be the Light of the world, and as the Light of the world, His inspirational influence is unmatched in human history.



So now we need to turn the spotlight on ourselves and honestly answer whether we're shining as we should. Are we guiding, defining, and inspiring? I pray that the Lord will continue to shine His light on us so that we can answer yes to that question.





How could you shine light into a dark place today? How could it open a door to share your faith?



I can make a difference in ____'s life by â¦



The Active Word is the Media Outreach Ministry of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and Pastor Bob Coy. For more information go to http://ActiveWord.org