Matt 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus gave instructions on the role of Christians in kingdom expansion. He gave analogy of light as was provided by a lamp. Ancient lamps were made of clay with a cavity to hold olive oil where wick would draw it as it burned to provide light.To provide enough light and protect it from burning out,several lamps were put together and placed on a lamstand to reduce vulnerability to wind , little light and depletion of oil which were major causes of burning out.
When lamps are covered ,they deplete oxygen necessary to burn oil. When Christians cover up their light ,or fail to pull together for a common course,illumination lacks and darkness creeps in. The devil deploys several strategies to ensure that we don’t burn bright .
Hopelessness, lack of synergy, spiritual normalcy,lack of fervency, fear ,complacency etc are all agents of putting out our light.This mechanism should be overturned by being connected to the light of the world as well as having enough reservoir of oil to ensure continuous burning .This produces good deeds that dispel darkness and attract many to Christ
Further reading:
Prov 4:18
Eph 5:8
Phil 2:15-16
🙏Blessed day🙏