Let—Not Make
Submitted by Hunter Grills
July 15, 2025
Mt 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
As children of light who have been saved and rescued from darkness, we are tasked with a wonderful responsibility of representing Jesus Christ. We have the light of righteousness in us which should never be hid.
Verse fifteen uses an example of how a man doesn’t light a candle only to hide it. He lights it so that others can benefit. He lights the candle to give light in a dark world. Jesus Christ did not save us and give us light to put under a bushel and keep to ourselves. He gave us light to share with those in darkness. He gave us light, like a city, to set on a hill and point those in darkness to the Creator.
Notice verse 16 says, “Let your light so shine” not, “make your light so shine.”
Many people today are trying to manufacture a work in their life to be a Christian. These efforts come in various forms but many times are related to performance based works, such as, standards or rules. While these actions may be good things, the source from which they come is the focus. If we try to MAKE our light so shine, it will glare and be tiresome as we “try” to live right.
The Holy Spirit has already done the work in us. We simply need to yield and “Let the light shine,” thus resulting in a life pleasing to the Lord. The result of a life submitted to Christ will naturally clean up and not be something we exhaust ourselves on based on our abilities.
May we let the glorious light of Jesus Christ within us so shine—so that those blinded in darkness may come to salvation.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Reflection—Patience is to let your light shine after your fuse has blown.
