Let Your Light So Shine Before Men

August 2024

The Lord Jesus said, in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” We are children of the light in a world of absolute darkness. We are heavenly citizens living on this sinful earth. He never intended for us to blend in but to stand out and be different.

What makes a lighthouse unique is that it exists solely for the good of the ships who need its guidance in the dark or fog. The definition of lighthouse is, “a tower at someplace important or dangerous to navigation; it has a very bright light at the top, and often foghorns, sirens, etc., by which ships are guided and warned.” Is this not our mission in life?

As believers we point the way to Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world. He alone has the words of eternal life and salvation. We take no credit and call no attention to ourselves but to Him. We warn of impending judgment and show the way to eternal life, hope, peace, love, and joy in Jesus. Like the lighthouse, we do not force anyone to take the right way, but we reveal the light so others can see Him. Others, like the ships, have to heed the light or face impending disaster.

One night a motorist was run down by a train at a grade crossing. The old signal man in charge of the crossing had to appear in court. After a severe cross-examination, he was still unshaken. He said he had waved his lantern frantically, but all to no avail. The following day the superintendent of the line called him into his office. “You did wonderfully well yesterday, Tom,” he said. “I was afraid at first that you might waver.” “No, sir,” replied Tom, “but I was afraid that old lawyer was going to ask me whether or not my lantern was lit!” We have a great responsibility to let out light shine and in order to do so our lamps must be lit daily.

Some today may not think the old lighthouses are needed in a world of high technology and sophistication. They seem outdated and unnecessary. But, oh how wrong they are! Without their beacons shining through the night and fog, lives may be lost. So, too, we as believers may seem to the world as too old fashioned, conservative, rigid, strict, or intolerant.

Light bearing is a way of life. When we do good and share with others, we glorify our Father who is in heaven. When people see Christ in our lives their hearts are prone to be softened to the gospel. Light is stronger than darkness and overcomes it. Let us then be overcomers as we let our light shine before men.