We live in a world where darkness (confusion, fear and sin) seems to be everywhere. But Jesus calls us to be something different. He calls us to be the light of the world. Today, we will explore what it means to live out that calling in our lives, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Firstly, we are called to reflect Christ’s light. A humble reminder that we are not the source of light; Jesus is. Our purpose is to reflect His light in our lives. Just like the moon reflects the sun, we reflect the light of Christ in the world we live in.

Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

Imagine a lighthouse on a hill. It doesn’t create its own light; it simply reflects the light inside to guide ships safely to shore. That’s our role as Christians … to reflect Jesus’ light so that others can find their way to safety in Him.  

A renowned Christian author said, “It is the purpose of God that His children shall shine as lights in the moral darkness of this world” (DOA). In other words, we are called to reflect Christ’s light. Our lives should be a mirror that shows the world who Jesus is.

Secondly, our light should shine in our actions. Being the light of the world isn’t just about what we believe; it’s about how we live. Our actions should reflect the love and truth of Jesus.

Matthew 5:16 encourages us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The author of (MOH) adds that, “The greatest argument in (favour) of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”

When you light a candle in a dark room. Its small flame lights up the entire space. Even small acts of kindness and love can have a big impact in a world of darkness.

Our light shines brightest through our actions. When we live out our faith in practical ways, people notice and are drawn to Christ.

Third, we must keep our light burning brightly. It’s not enough to shine for a moment; we need to keep our light burning continuously. This requires staying close to Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and kept their lamps filled with oil, while the others let their lamps go out.

Think about a torch with dying batteries. It might shine for a bit, but without fresh batteries, it soon goes out. In the same way, we need to be recharged by spending time with God through prayer, the study of His Word, and fellowship. “Many have become so absorbed in worldly business that they have no time for prayer; no time to seek God’s blessing”(GC).

So, to keep our light burning, we must stay connected to the source – Jesus. When we do, our light will continue to shine brightly, no matter what.

Being the light of the world is a high calling, but it’s also a privilege.

As we navigate our way through life’s challenges, we are reminded again that firstly, we are called to reflect Christ, secondly, to let our actions shine, and third, to keep our light burning bright.

As Christians living in a messed-up world, let’s remember that we carry the light of Jesus with us. Let’s shine brightly for Him, so that others may see our good works and be led to glorify our Father in heaven.