Jesus was fond of the light metaphor. He used it in speaking of Himself (Jn. 8.12). Having our lights trimmed and well supplied was in Jesus’ mind a way of thinking about being always ready to fulfill our purpose as the Bride of the Lord (Matt. 25.1-13). And He spoke of His mission in the world as having the effect of exposing the darkness of sin and unbelief (Jn. 3.16-21).

In each case the idea of light conveyed a message of truth, of a new reality, and of fulfilling God’s purposes for the world. God Who, in the beginning, spoke light into the chaos of the unformed creation, sent the Light, in Jesus and the Church, for the new beginning which is His Kingdom.

Light of the world

The Church is the light of the world. We cannot as individuals hope to have nearly the impact for truth and the Kingdom that the Church as Christ’s Body at all four levels can have when it embraces and pursues its mission as the light.

Notice that Jesus said the Church is the light of the world. Being the light of the world is not so much something we do as something we are. Filled with the light of truth and the illuminating power of God’s Spirit, we become transformed by the light in our thoughts, affections, and values. The depths of our very being are enlightened and vivified by the indwelling light of the Lord, so that we become new persons, and a new people, from the inside-out.

Paul says that, as the light of Christ rises within us, we shine like lights in the dark world of sin (Eph. 5.1-14). The way we live – all our everyday gestures, mannerisms, conversations, and ways of being in the world – enter the world each day like the flipping of a light switch. The effect of this is twofold.

First, the darkness is illuminated; sin is exposed and brought into relief. As the light of the world, Christians do not wink at sin or simply hope it will go away. The light shining in and through the Body of Christ insists that whatever is dark be illuminated, rolled back, and transformed.

Second, the entrance of light into the darkness not only exposes the works of darkness, and calls them out for what they are; it also illuminates the way things are meant to be. The Church is the light of the world not just because we renounce and expose the darkness – beginning with ourselves – but because we show the way human beings are meant to live, in love for God and for our neighbors.

Here, too, there is strength in numbers – both in becoming light-bearers in the world and in shining our light for all to see.

Positive associations and opportunities

In the thinking of most people light suggests powerful positive associations – life, warmth, insight, discovery, certainty, perspective, radiance, brilliance, beauty, and truth. Jesus intends His Church to fulfill all these expectations by being the light of the world.

But we are not an isolated candle, shimmering here and there against the darkness. The Church is a light of infinite spiritual candlepower, which, as it shines continuously and consistently into the darkness of our age, brings all the fondest expectations of God and men to pass.

The Church is the light of the world! But, as the Body of Christ, she requires that all members lend their light to one another and join their lights with one another at all levels of the Church, in order to strike a blow for life and truth into the encroaching darkness of unbelief and sin.

Next steps

Do your non-Christian friends or associates perceive “light” as a positive image? Ask some of them this question: What comes to mind when you think of “light”? Then ask them to talk about some situations in which they have experienced this feeling of “light.” Share what you learn from them with some Christian friends, and discuss how you can help one another be the light of the world.

Additional Resources

Download this week's study, Why We Need the Church.

Sign up for ViewPoint Leaders Training and start your own ViewPoint discussion group.

The Church is the flash point for revival, but only if we prepare for it as we should. Order a copy of T. M.’s book, Preparing Your Church for Revival, from our online store.

And men, download our free brief paper, “Men of the Church: A Solemn Warning,” by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.