“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
We’ve been considering what it really means to bear the Name of God in a worthy manner—not taking it in vain. We have looked at what is, perhaps, a better translation of the commandment: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7, ESV). Several of God’s Names, as revealed in Scripture, were examined to best see how we can live lives worthy of His great Name.
In the American church we haven’t seen very much persecution. The United States, after all, was founded upon religious freedom. But it seems that of late we have endured some mockery. And unlike the days when Christians were being killed daily for their faith—and unlike the places where Christians are still being killed for their faith—our persecution, light as it may be, has not served to strengthen our faith. Rather, some of us maintain a lower profile, keep our heads down and our cross necklaces under our shirts.
Scripture tells us that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), and the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Without a doubt, the days we live in are dark. The governments and peoples of the world seem to be conspiring to glorify sin, accepting and normalizing behaviors that are offensive to God. I’m not pointing at any sin in particular; all sin is offensive to God.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20, ESV)
Rather than ignore—or even accept—the darkness, we are supposed to shine in the darkness. Darkness attracts darkness, but light repels it!
Two thousand years ago, long before the secrets of electricity were uncovered, a city on a hill was visible for miles. Now a night-time satellite view of the world is amazing!
We are called to be like a city on a hill. In a world who’s eyes have grown accustomed to the dark, we are supposed to show them light once again. Think about it. Do we represent the Name of the LORD well, or do we find our own eyes darkened?
It’s so much easier to join the queue and follow along with everyone else.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)
As always, these are the musings of a mindful disciple. Blessings on your week!
Photo by Haley Black from Pexels
Skipping Stones 
Leave a Reply