Matthew 5:14 tells us that ""You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Because of this, we are predestined to live out lives that will showcase the grace and love of Christ, which will in turn ultimately lead others to God as well.
The call of being the light of the world and the salt of the earth requires that we not be ashamed of the Gospel and boldly profess the goodness that God has shown to us in our lives. However, there are some misconceptions about being "the light of the world" that can actually point us in the wrong direction. Here are four common misinterpretations of what it means to be a believer that is the light of the world.
Misconception #1. We have to convert people
Our job has never been to convince people to change their ways or change their beliefs. Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." It is God and God alone who can change the heart of a person. Our only job is to proclaim, exemplify and extend the love and grace of God by proclaiming His truth and being a blessing to others.
Misconception #2. We're promoting a religion
Being the light of the world is not really much about promoting the religion of Christianity to others. It is rather inviting them into a relationship with the person that is Jesus and allowing them to experience the love of the Father through the move of the Holy Spirit. Being a light means bringing clarity to a person.
Misconception #3. It's about us
Matthew 28:19 gives us the great commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We don't make disciples for ourselves. We make disciples for God who will follow Jesus and be baptised into His Spirit, not our impartation."
John 8:12 goes on to clarify when Jesus said "...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." It's not about us being the light, but us shining the light of Jesus that has been given to us by His grace.
Misconception #4. We're better than the world
Being a light of the world does not mean that we are better than the world. Christian or not, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and we all need the same thing -- God's atoning sacrifice through Jesus.
Being a light means that we are to offer a greater solution to human effort -- including ours -- and that is God's love and grace.
