Don’t put your light under a lampshade

Matthew 5:15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

There is this overwhelming belief that once a person is saved, that that is it. Say a prayer, accept Christ, done. These people do not believe they have a moral responsibility or obligation to share their faith with others. After all, who are they to judge? It is the pastor’s job to share the gospel, and their job to believe it.

However, I would like to submit to you that it is the job of every man, woman, and child, that has accepted Christ as their savior to share the gospel with those around them. Who lights a fire and then covers it up with a lid? Once the fire is covered, it goes out. Likewise, a Christian who does not share their faith is one who has received a fire and then covers it up. In this instance they cover it up so as not to share their fire with others. Kind of selfish, don’t you think?

Unfortunately, many will take it a step further. They will receive Christ, and because they have what they believe is eternal salvation at the point of “accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts”, they will then live as if they have never accepted Christ at all except for the occasional prayer and mentioning of His name. These are those who have taken the light and put it under a basket. They actually live in darkness, not in the light, even though the light is in them.

These are those who find nothing wrong with going to the club, smoking, drinking, cussing, and having sex before marriage. They believe that since Christ died for their sins, and they once asked for His forgiveness, they now have a license to sin. But this is not so. We were called to be salt and light unto this dying world. But how then can we be light if we are as dark as the world? If we live in darkness, as the world lives in darkness, then we have lost our light, and are useless.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16:

"You are the light of the world. A city that  is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, places His light in us as a beacon for the lost. When ships are lost at sea they look toward the lighthouse to guide them in. Likewise, we are to be that beacon, that light, for a lost and dying world. But if we hide our light, then they cannot receive guidance, and they will die and remain lost.

It is not just the pastor’s job, or the leaders in the churches job to be a light unto a dying generation. It is the responsibility of every Christian to be salt and light in this world. If you have received the fire and flame of the Holy Spirit, do not hide it. Let it shine. Live a life that is Holy and righteous before God so that “they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We can’t continue to live in selfishness, slaves to our fleshly desires. It is time to put death to the flesh, and live in spirit. Let us strive to be examples of the goodness that is in Christ Jesus.