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“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
— Matthew 5:14
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
— Colossians 3:17
The central theme in these lyrics is very clear: the believer’s calling to manifest the glory of God in a dark world. Not to draw attention to self, but to direct all attention to the Father. Light is not optional for the Christian; it is essential. According to Jesus, it is not merely that we *have* light, but that we *are* light.
The song echoes this calling: “Let your light shine before others… that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” That is not a suggestion; it is a mandate. It is part of the identity and assignment of every disciple of Jesus Christ.
If we wish to understand this properly, we must see what the Scripture says in its original context and with its intended spiritual force.
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The main statements in Matthew 5:14–16 come from the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Jesus early in His public ministry. He is not speaking to the crowds in general, but specifically to His disciples (Matthew 5:1–2). These are men and women who have already responded to His call and are learning from Him.
He begins with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12), describing the character of those who are truly blessed in the Kingdom of God: poor in spirit, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Immediately after describing this character, He moves to calling and function:
In other words, who you are (your character) determines what you are (your function). Your internal condition before God determines your external impact in the world.
Notice also something important:
Jesus applies to His disciples a description He used of Himself:
So there is a transfer of identity and function. As long as He was in the world in the flesh, He was the light of the world. Now He says to His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” We do not shine with our own light; we shine with His light in us.
### The context of Colossians 3:17
Colossians is a letter from Paul to believers in Colossae. In chapter 3, Paul describes the new life of the believer:
Then comes verse 17:
> “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
This is the practical outworking of the light Jesus spoke about. Light is not only in religious activities. It shines in whatever you do—speech, conduct, work, relationships, service. All of it is to be done in the name of Jesus and unto the glory of God.
So the lyrics rightly bring together Matthew 5 and the ethical, practical teaching of Colossians 3 and, by implication, Ephesians 5 (children of light).
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To understand this calling more deeply, we will examine two key words.
### 1. “Light” – Greek: *phōs* (φῶς)
In Matthew 5:14, the word translated “light” is *phōs*.
In the New Testament, *phōs* is frequently associated with God Himself:
So when Jesus says, “You are the light of the world,” He is not speaking about natural personality, human intelligence, or religious activity. He is speaking about the life and truth of God shining through the inner being of the believer.
Light:
The lyrics say:
“Don’t hide the hope that’s burning inside
The world is in darkness, but you’ve been made light”
That is accurate. By new birth, we have been made light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). Light is not merely something we *carry*; it is now what we *are* in union with Christ.
### 2. “Good deeds / good works” – Greek: *kalos ergon* (καλὰ ἔργα)
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says:
> “That they may see your good works…”
The phrase is kalà érga:
So “good works” are not merely correct actions, but works that are morally beautiful and spiritually attractive. They carry the fragrance of Christ and the character of God.
The song reflects this nuance:
Will draw them to worship the One on the throne”
That is *kalos ergon*: visible kindness, truthfulness, mercy—actions so permeated with the nature of God that they become a testimony to Him and draw people to Him.
This is crucial: the works are ours in the sense that we do them, but the glory is not ours. The very structure of Matthew 5:16 is:
We are responsible for the response; God receives the credit.
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We will now walk through the themes in the lyrics and connect them to Scripture.
### A. “You are the light of the world… A city on a hill”
“You are the light of the world
A city on a hill cannot be hidden
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket
Instead, they set it on a stand
So it gives light to everyone in the house”
Here Jesus gives two pictures:
1. A city set on a hill
2. A lamp on a stand in a house
Both images emphasize visibility and responsibility.
Jesus is teaching that the Christian life is not a hidden, private spirituality with no outward effect. It is intended to be manifested:
The lyrics accurately echo this: “So it gives light to everyone in the house.” The first sphere of our testimony is often our home, our closest relationships.
Cross-references:
Both passages echo Matthew 5:16: observable conduct resulting in glory to God.
### B. The purpose of shining: God’s glory, not ours
“Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds
And glorify your Father in heaven”
“Not for your praise, but to point up above
So hearts turn to God and feel His love
…Will draw them to worship the One on the throne”
This captures the central purpose. Jesus does not say, “Let your light so shine… that they may admire you, follow you, and speak well of you.” No, the aim is that they may:
Theological truth: Every genuine work of grace in the believer has the ultimate purpose of revealing the Father.
Jesus Himself lived this way:
The same pattern applies to us. When we perform good works in the right spirit and motive, they become a channel through which others see the Father. Notice also the intimacy: “your Father.” Good works testify that we truly belong to Him.
The lyrics capture this motive carefully: “Let the glory fall on Him, not on your track.” That is sound theology: *works are visible, but the glory is directed upward*.
### C. Living as children of light
“Whatever you do, in word or in deed
Do it all in the name of the Lord
Give thanks to the Father through Jesus His Son
Live as children of light, bearing good fruit
Full of goodness, righteousness, truth
Find out what pleases Him, walk in His ways”
Here the lyrics are echoing Colossians 3:17 and Ephesians 5:8–10:
Note the progression:
1. Identity – “You *were* darkness… now you *are* light in the Lord”
2. Conduct – “Walk as children of light”
3. Fruit – “Goodness, righteousness, and truth”
4. Discernment – “Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord”
The lyrics follow this pattern:
This is not sentimental. It is spiritual warfare. The contrast is explicit in Scripture:
By walking in the light, we oppose the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 6:12) through our lifestyle.
### D. Spark in the night: witness in a dark world
“Don’t hide the hope that’s burning inside
The world is in darkness, but you’ve been made light
Every act of love, every word of grace
Is a spark in the night leading straight to His face”
This reflects:
Hope is not to be concealed. The devil wants believers to be silent, intimidated, and inward. Jesus says the opposite: do not hide. Your hope, your testimony, your acts of love—these are “sparks” in the surrounding darkness.
“Every act of love, every word of grace” aligns with:
Words and actions become carriers of grace. They do not lead to us; they “lead straight to His face”—in other words, to the revelation of Christ.
### E. “Keep shining bright in a world that’s gone dim”
“Keep shining bright in a world that’s gone dim
Your good works will echo the beauty of Him
The Father who sees will receive all the praise
When lives are changed by His light in your ways”
This reflects:
The world is in increasing moral and spiritual darkness. The response of God is not for His people to withdraw into fear, but to shine. The glory of the Lord rising upon His people becomes a testimony in a dark environment.
“The Father who sees will receive all the praise” is consistent with Jesus’ emphasis that the Father:
Lives changed by “His light in your ways” is a picture of sanctified lifestyle evangelism. People are impacted not merely by what we say, but by the consistent testimony of a life lived in the light.
---
We must now move from theology to practice. Light must shine. How?
### 1. Embrace your identity: “You are light in the Lord”
Ephesians 5:8 does not say you have light; it says you are light in the Lord. This is a matter of faith. You must align your thinking and speaking with God’s Word.
This is not pride; it is agreement with God. Identity precedes conduct. Until you accept that you are light, you will never walk consistently as a child of light.
Proclamation step:
“I am light in the Lord. His life and truth dwell in me. I am not hidden; I am set by God to shine.”
### 2. Remove the “basket”: Deal with what hides the light
Jesus speaks of a lamp being hidden under a basket. In your life, the “basket” can be:
These things cover the light. They do not extinguish it, but they block its visibility.
Practical steps:
### 3. Commit your whole life—word and deed—to His name
Colossians 3:17 commands that whatever we do—in word or deed—we do in the name of the Lord Jesus. That means:
A divided life—where some areas belong to God and others do not—is dim, inconsistent light. A surrendered life shines clearly.
Ask yourself:
### 4. Intentionally perform “kalos ergon”—beautiful, God-glorifying works
Matthew 5:16 emphasizes good works that are visible. We do not perform them to earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9), but we are created for them (Ephesians 2:10).
Practical expressions of *kalos ergon*:
Ask the Holy Spirit each day:
Then do it intentionally and quietly, not for applause, but for the Father who sees in secret.
---
### Proclamation
Speak this out loud, in faith, based on Matthew 5, Colossians 3, and the truths in these lyrics:
> In the name of Jesus, I declare:
> I am light in the Lord.
> I am a city set on a hill; I will not be hidden.
> The Lord has not lit my lamp to put it under a basket,
> but to set it on a stand to give light to everyone around me.
> I choose to let my light shine before others.
> They will see the good works that God has prepared for me,
> and they will glorify my Father in heaven.
> Whatever I do, in word or in deed,
> I do in the name of the Lord Jesus,
> giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
> I live as a child of light—
> bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth,
> finding out what pleases the Lord and walking in His ways.
> The world may be in darkness,
> but I have been made light in Christ.
> I will not hide the hope that burns within me.
> Every act of love and every word of grace
> will be a spark in the night, leading people to the face of Jesus.
> All the glory, all the honor, and all the praise
> belong to my Father in heaven.
> Amen.
### Prayer
Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You.
Thank You that You have called me out of darkness into Your marvelous light.
Thank You that in Christ I am now light in the Lord.
Forgive me for every way I have hidden Your light—through fear, compromise, pride, or silence.
By the power of the blood of Jesus, cleanse me from all darkness.
Holy Spirit, remove every basket that covers the light of Christ in me.
Fill me afresh with Your presence, Your truth, and Your boldness.
Teach me to walk as a child of light.
Let my words and my deeds be done in the name of Jesus.
Show me the good works You have prepared for me today.
Use my life to turn hearts to the Father,
to reveal His love, His mercy, and His holiness.
I yield myself to You—spirit, soul, and body.
Let the light of Jesus shine through me in my home, my work, my community, and my church.
May all who see my life be drawn, not to me, but to You,
and may they glorify You, my Father in heaven.
I ask this in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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