Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) tells us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” We were born into sin, but we were also born for greater things: we were created to become creatures of light. The moment you get saved through salvation in Christ, you inherit an irreversible identity as a Child of The Light of the world, a Crown that cannot be stolen from you. That’s why Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, “He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
So who are we, a royal priesthood and a holy nation, to be involved in evil if God created us anew for good works? How will they see the true freedom in Christ when we are running back to the very shackles He set us free from? How can they see the Light in us if we cover it up? Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) reminds us that, “‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” This is a well-known passage that many people have memorized, but we need to start seeing it for what it truly is—a calling and a commandment to step forth and shine. God is not just suggesting that His children of Light can shine, but that they must shine! Paul in Ephesians 4:1 (ESV) urges us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
There is active work to be done for His Kingdom, and He is crying out, “awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light” (Eph. 5:14, NKJV). Are you walking through the motions, defined only by the title of Christian, while you camouflage your light in the world? Have you started to compromise your light in order to ‘fit in’ with a world you aren’t a spiritual citizen of? Or are you actively pursuing Him and shining bright, even if you stand out? The world cannot steal your light, but it can definitely dim it if you aren’t careful to stay close to Jesus and discern right from wrong. That’s going to take boldness, courage, and unswerving faith. We, unfortunately, live in a time where people seem shocked or turned off to hear someone mention God, let alone his or her faith in Him. Not everyone is going to like your light, and that you stand out and speak His Name. But are you going to let them dictate how you live for Jesus? Why would you let a citizen of the world tell you how you—a citizen of God’s Kingdom—should live?
We live in an era where even Christians believe that our mission is to fish for numbers—more friends, followers, likes, comments, and self-praise. But Jesus didn’t say fish for more gain for ourselves, He said to fish for others to pursue Christ. Jesus doesn’t want us to accumulate a random mass of people to follow us, because then we would get the glory, fame, and praise, instead of Him. He desires for us to first follow Him, and then He will show us how to fish for the people who will follow Him through us. For it is through Him we have been saved. We couldn’t save ourselves, therefore we can’t save others either; our job is to lead them to the One who can.
Exactly what you do with your light depends on the calling God has for you. First Corinthians 12 talks about spiritual gifts; Christ has called us each to something specific. When someone talks about standing out and shining your light, picture a city on a hill— doing something so bold and out of the ordinary that all will notice. And yes, some people are called to more upfront, worldwide callings as evangelists, literally bringing whole nations to Christ. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go on a mission trip to shine your light, it starts in what most people call small or insignificant: obeying your parents, praying for your enemies, putting a loved one ahead of yourself, paying the bill for a needy person, having good manners, acting modestly and humbly, treating others with respect, and writing notes of encouragement. The things the world has dubbed “random acts of kindness” are truly not so random to Jesus. Every single attempt to step forth and shine is applauded by heaven; not one is wasted or unseen. In every moment, there is an opportunity for light to shine, and if not your light, then who is going to do it? Who else will stand up for Jesus in a world that drowns His Name out and curses at Him? Who else will defend the gospel of the One who gave it all for you? How far are you willing to go for your Savior who paid the ultimate sacrifice—the punishment you were supposed to have—and secured your eternity with Him?
The standards of how to live as a Child of the Most High King are all written down in His Word and just waiting for you to discover. Psalm 119:9 (NIV) answers a question many of us are now asking, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word.” When you truly seek God and His Righteousness—with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul—your eyes will be opened to more and more of how He desires for you to live, who He’s created you to be, what He’s called you to do, and the divine purpose He’s placed over your life.
As Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) says, “Live as children of light.” You are a Child of Light; live like it, every moment, every day.
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