How far the little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world! Our Savior commands us to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. He desires us to live out our beliefs in the world so that our good actions will be seen and lead others to honor God. Even the feeblest light at midnight is of use, and no sincere and humble life is lived in vain. This world loves darkness, where many believe they can hide their deeds, but the light of God illuminates and exposes all. We have been given His truth to light up our lives, so we will not live in darkness. Our Savior teaches that He is the true light of the world, and if we follow Him, we will not be in the dark. We are to walk our path in the fullness of His light, practicing those things that please Him, so our little light will shine brightly in this increasingly darkening world.

In the Parable of the Light, Jesus Christ illustrates the responsibility of true Christians to influence the world by comparing them to a city on a hill and a lamp on a lampstand. Just as a city built on a prominent location is visible to many over a wide area, a disciple's influence extends far and wide, exposing them to numerous observers. Similarly, a shining lamp illuminates a home, suggesting a disciple's more intimate impact within their immediate surroundings. By design, a Christian's actions cannot be hidden from either family or the broader world, necessitating a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life to let their light shine before others. A lamp is not meant to be concealed but placed where its light can benefit all in the house. Likewise, God's truth, given to His followers, should not be hidden but must show itself in stark contrast to the wickedness of the world, exposing and instructing it. If a light is hidden, as under a basket, no one gains from it, but when positioned properly, its benefits reach everyone nearby. A Christian's righteous life, pleasant attitude, and good works, including pure conversation and faithful obedience, should be visible and known. Humbly, in all settings—whether in communities, business, at home, or abroad, in prosperity or adversity—it must be evident that they adhere to God's way of life. Letting their light shine requires resisting the influence of the world and avoiding its lusts and pride. The proper motive for letting one's light shine is not to gain praise from others but to bring glory to the Father. True Christians behave to honor God, caring little for human opinion, and through their conduct, others may see the proper nature of God's way. Good works, which stand in contrast to the ways of this wicked world, cannot be hidden and are required both at home and in the outside world. The Father is glorified when Christians bear the fruit of the Spirit, perform good works, and correctly praise and honor Him through proper worship and obedience. Their lives provide a witness to the world, demonstrating the excellence of God's way and the power and purity of His truth. Good actions will inevitably be seen, leading others to honor God, for even the feeblest light proves useful in the darkest hour.

The command of God in Genesis 1:3, "Let there be light," carries a profound significance that extends beyond the physical creation, pointing to His ongoing spiritual work with humanity. Under the inspiration of God's Spirit, Paul translates this command into Greek with a future tense verb, rendered in various translations as "Light will shine out of darkness" or "Light shall shine out of darkness." This indicates that the same God who commanded illumination of the vast deep continues to command light to shine in our minds, revealing the deep things of God. Without this divine light, our understanding of His purposes and plans for us as individuals would remain limited. Paul's use of the Greek preposition "ek," meaning "out of," in II Corinthians 4:6, emphasizes that this light emanates from within the darkness, not merely illuminating the surface. This God-created light, distinct yet originating from Him, shines forth from the chaos, symbolizing the transformative power of God's Spirit working to accomplish His purposes. It is a discrete, darkness-destroying light burning in a place contrary to Him, yet sustained by His boundless power. In Matthew 5:15-16, Christ instructs His disciples to let their light shine before men, so that their good works may glorify their Father in heaven. He calls it "your light," indicating that though it is engendered and sustained by Him, it burns in independent beings, each once darkened like the chaos of Genesis 1:2. Empowered by Christ dwelling in us, we are spiritually energized as separate entities, transformed by His light. We are not merely a reflection but God's light shining within freestanding organisms, walking in the same light in which Christ walks, becoming like Him in character and purpose, though distinct from Him. John 1:5 assures us that the darkness could not overcome the light sent out from Jesus Christ, who anciently transformed the chaos into an organized creation capable of facilitating His plans. This prophesied creation of light continues until there are billions of points of light, each distinguished from the Father of lights as separate beings, yet indistinguishable from Him in terms of character and purpose.

God is the only trustworthy source of true everlasting light, providing humanity with extraordinary knowledge, comforts, and necessities through its incredible purity and variety. When God places the light of the spirit in the human mind, it elevates thought beyond animal instinct, enabling invention and creation. Light represents truth and goodness, standing as the great antithesis and conqueror of darkness, which symbolizes error and evil. In the creation account, God established light's rulership over the universe, creating two great lights to govern day and night, evoking awe and reverence. Natural light, from the sun, moon, and stars, brings beauty, radiance, and utility, rejoicing the heart and sustaining life, while its absence leaves people helpless. Artificial light, a human substitute when natural light fails, can illuminate but often falls short, sometimes even fostering darkness through misuse under satanic influence. True light, however, must shine rightly, guiding both physical and spiritual paths, as only God designs the perfect light for well-being. Mental, moral, and spiritual light, as a figurative concept, illuminates the mind, conscience, and will through divine instruction, opening capabilities to truth. Jesus Christ, as the light of the world, embodies this divine illumination, bringing understanding, wisdom, and salvation to humanity. Those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Christians are urged to let their light shine, making evident God's way of life as a faithful witness. This light defines their essence, marking their transition from darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son. The church, as the Body of Christ, reveals His glory to the world, producing the life and light of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, in the New Jerusalem, the glory of God and the Lamb will be the everlasting light, obliterating all traces of darkness, with no need for sun or moon, as the redeemed walk eternally in the presence of God's light.

Light reveals the truth and exposes the true character of things, serving as a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. As Christians, we are 'light in the Lord,' transformed from darkness to embody the light through Christ dwelling in us. This light manifests first in the mind, bringing knowledge and understanding of God that is unique to believers, distinguishing us from those in darkness who lack spiritual insight. We are called to reflect this light, becoming a witness to others through our lives. The fruit of light shows itself in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, contrasting sharply with the unfruitful works of darkness. Goodness reflects a benevolent concern for others, righteousness signifies conformity to God's law and fairness in dealings, and truth embodies transparency and sincerity, exposing hidden deceit. Our lives as Christians should produce genuine fruit, growing naturally from within, not artificially imposed or mechanically produced. This fruit develops over time, showing steady growth and individual variation, unlike the uniformity of false imitations. We must shine through our actions, living as true expressions of the light, avoiding pretense and embracing the liberty that comes from truth. As 'light in the Lord,' we are meant to produce spiritual fruit to the glory of God, walking as children of light. This light not only transforms us but also prepares us for a future role in the Millennium, where we will help others come out of darkness, shining alongside Jesus Christ and God the Father to illuminate the truth.

God is the only true source of everlasting light, a radiant force that illuminates both the physical and spiritual realms. Light, as a divine gift, enables humanity to rise above mere instinct, fostering extraordinary knowledge, invention, and comfort through the illumination bestowed by God. This light represents truth, goodness, and purity, standing in stark contrast to the darkness of error and evil that shrouds the world when this divine light is rejected. It is our sacred duty to let this true light shine forth, to illuminate the right path amidst a world often deceived by false light. As bearers of this divine illumination, we must shine as true lights in the world, clear of the sins that darken society, reflecting the holiness and purity that are attributes of God. By letting our light shine, we reveal God's glory, transforming the darkness around us with the transcendent splendor that comes from above. This act of shining is not self-generated but is a reflection of the light that God imparts, a light that permeates everyday life while remaining far above earthly limitations. As members of God's church, we are called to manifest this luminous essence, making visible God's way of life to all, ensuring that the true light from our hearts serves as a witness to His everlasting truth and righteousness.