Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. I. A word about THE GREAT CONCEPTION OF A CHRISTIAN MAN'S OFFICE WHICH IS SET FORTH IN THIS METAPHOR. "Ye are the light of the world." Then our Lord goes on to explain what kind of a light it is to which He would compare His people — the light of a tamp kindled. Christian men individually, and the Christian Church as a whole, shine by derived light. Before the incarnation Christ was the light of men; also the historic Christ is the source of all revelation. Light signifies knowledge and moral purity. II. THE CERTAINTY THAT IF WE ARE LIGHT WE SHALL SHINE. The nature and property of light is to radiate. All earnest Christian conviction will demand expression; and all deep experience of the purifying power of Christ upon character will show itself in conduct. III. This obligation of giving light is still further enforced by the thought that THAT WAS CHRIST'S VERY PURPOSE IN ALL THAT HE HAS DONE WITH US AND FOR US. It is possible for good men to smother and shroud their light. We can bury the light of the Word under cowardly and indifferent silence. IV. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. Candles are not lit to be looked at, but that something else may be seen by them. Men may see God through our works. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.WEB: You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. |
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