John 8:12 – “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Matthew 5:14, 16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
“All light has its source in God, so any light we possess will be derived from his presence. We shine not by our own might or power, but by the Holy Spirit.” – Dennis Kinlaw
When Jesus declares Himself the light of the world, He is declaring Himself as the full illumination of God’s self-sacrificial love. Jesus is God’s nature made visible and available for human experience. When we freely receive God’s atonement for sin, having put our faith in Jesus, we are filled with Jesus’ nature of love. His gift of grace for our debt of sin compels us to freely want to bless others the way that Christ has blessed us.
The more we discover the extent of God’s care and love, the more freely we can give of ourselves. For example, people who struggle to give to the church and others financially, struggle to do so because of a lack of faith in God’s ability and or willingness to provide. They don’t understand the fulfillment and joy of being used by God to bless others, something much more fulfilling than spending on self. Nor do they know the thrill of our Father in heaven supernaturally providing in order to continue to give freely.
As we spend time with Jesus through fellowship with other believers, His Word, and prayer; He fills our cup full in order to spill out His love on others to experience. Is the light of God’s love shining through you in the way you talk, and the way you look to serve the needs around you?