You Are The Light Of The World

As Believers in Christ Jesus, you are the Light of the World. However, it is essential for you to understand what that means.

Living in a world that is full of atrocities, you may wonder about the complexities of making a difference. But the possibilities are within your abilities.

Existence presents us with oppositions like Light and Darkness. And being identified as the light, you would want to know why and what is expected of you as the Light of the World.

In this article, I do hope you find the answers and understanding of yourselves in the Light and live as the light that you are.

Meanwhile, have you had a chance to read my article titled, Jesus Is The Light Of The World? You should check it out!

You Are The Light Of The World Verse

It is worth noting that the one who called you the light of the world is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The statement, You are the Light of the World, was made in Matthew 5 where He taught on the mountain what is known today as The Beatitudes of Jesus. He also taught that you are the salt of the Earth.

In Matthew 5:14 WEB, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.”

You Are The Light Of The World Meaning

First things first, look at the second statement in that verse where He said, A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

A city there is an indication that the ‘You’ is not referring to one person but a group of people with a common interest. By that, I mean when Jesus said, You are the Light of the World, He wasn’t referring to one person but people who were part of the audience.

Today, the people are called the Church of Christ, or the body of Christ. Individually, you are a light of the world, but as the body, you are the Light of the World.

Actually, Jesus is the Light of the World. The church or Believers in Christ, are part of Him who is the Head of His church (His body).

Here are three things ‘You are the Light of the World’ could mean:

1. You are Believers in Christ.
2. You are the followers of Christ.
3. You are not of the darkness.

These are the ones Jesus Christ referred to in His prayer when He said in John 17:16 WEB, “They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.”

The light of the world in this case are those who are in the world but are not given to the worldly lifestyle. There are those who are sanctified by the word of truth and have the life of Christ in them.

Essentially, You are the Light of the World means that Believers in Christ are Light bearers in the world of darkness.

Why Are You The Light Of The World?

Jesus Christ gave two instances with regards to ‘You are the light of the world’. The first was a city located on a hill, and the second was a lighted lamp on a stand.

He said in Matthew 5:14–15 WEB:

“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.”

Like a city found on a hill, you cannot be hidden, and like a lamp with light on a stand, you are to shine in this world. The main point is that you believe in Christ and follow after Him.

What Is Expected Of You As The Light Of The World

Understand that before now, we have been in this world of darkness and lived as though we are of this world, until Christ. This new face and declaration is a result of what God has done in Christ Jesus.

Look at it from Brother Paul’s message in his letter to the Church in Colossae when he heard of their love:

“Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.” Colossians 1:12–14 AMP.

The kingdom of the Son of His love is the Kingdom of Light which is Life. We The Believers Today who have the forgiveness of our sins are part of that Kingdom through faith in Christ Jesus.

Returning to what is expected of you as the Light of the World, Jesus said:

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 AMP.

Believers in Christ Jesus are held to a high standard of living in the sense of morality, honesty, trustworthiness, and good works. Letting your light shine before men can be defined as doing love work.

The amplified statement of Jesus Christ above can be likened to that of Brother Paul in Philippians 2:12–13 WEB. It says, “So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, 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 work, for his good pleasure.”

Those who work out their salvation are those who have salvation, the same goes for those who let their light shine.

Just as saying You have been saved, work out your salvation; You are the Light of the World, let your light shine before men.

Remember, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not of works, that no one would boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8–10 WEB.

So what Jesus Christ is saying to you as the Light of the World, and what Paul is saying to you as the saved of God is to walk in good works. That is what is called the Love Work.

As Christ’s ambassadors and God’s Representatives in the world, you are to love one another, pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one can see the Lord in you.