In Genesis – both the book and the word – the beginning of this journey I am about to take you
On. Genesis 1:2-3, the world before the introduction of light by God which establishes a truth – God is the source of THE light of this world (definite article “The”). There is only one light and what exists outside of that light is darkness.
As believers, according to Mathew 5:14-16 where we are regarded as the light of the world, we are to reflect “The Light” – the God light. Embryologically speaking, it means our light is a derivative of The Light and just like in the beginning, our light has a purpose and a responsibility.
Vs 16 – to shine; bring Christ into every dark room by shining. Darkness does not have to be some demonic spirit, it is simply the absence of light which is Christ. John 1:1-4 & 10-14.
CHARACTERISTICS OF LIGHT
1. Light is distinct, recognizable and attractive. 1 Peter 2:9-12, Ephesians 5:8-9 Blending into the world that we have been called out from is not an option. Your light is meant to shine and only a dim light would and it easy to blend in.
2. Light dispels darkness. John 1:5-9 This places on us a responsibility to shine regardless of darkness. In the beginning, God had to say “Let there be LIGHT” but right now, he could as well say “let there be US” because we are his agent of light in the world and wherever there is gross darkness is a great opportunity for your light to shine.
Do a quick exercise for me. Close your eyes and imagine a dark room, a grossly dark room and then someone steps in with a well charged lamp that lights up the entire room or the electricity is restored. That’s you; that lamp is you. It is who God wants you to be on this earth, to make the world better by shining.
Now that we have looked at some of the characteristics of light, I’ll share a story with you. Just like most of you reading this now, when I was younger, I used to be scared of the dark because anything and everything in the dark looked scarier than it actually was. But as a grown up, not so much anymore. What changed? Knowledge! Knowledge is a key instrument to letting your light shine; it will reflect in the “How” you shine and how
much of the source you know. The end to which our light must shine is that those who see our good works may be brought, not to glorify us but to glorify our father which is in heaven. Hence, we must not only endeavor to
glorify God ourselves, but do all we can to bring others to glorify him – Matthew Henry
Commentary on Matthew 5: 13-16.
Adedolapo Olayinka