A LAMP ON A STAND

Matthew:5.14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

When a lamp shines, it isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary but serving its purpose and when it is covered so that the light it gives is hidden, then it is as good as nothing. How come a lamp that is giving light be hidden?

In this parable, the Lord likens a believer to a lamp on a stand that gives light. It wouldn’t be enough to shine, but to shine that all men may see and give praises to God.

A lamp stand can be described as a holder, support or a pillar that keeps the lamp in place or in its position. The lighted lamp only serves it purpose when it is uncovered and placed at the right position on a stand.

The believer needs a stand as a support, holder and a pillar and our solid stand is Christ. He positions us and holds us up for the glory of God.

In verse 16, it says our shine is our good works. These good works according to Ephesians 2:10 has been predestined for us in advance by God and it says we can do them in Christ Jesus. It is only in Christ that our good works can be seen by men.

Our primary responsibility as believers is to stay in Christ and stand in him.

The usefulness of a lamp is not justified when it is hidden but when it is placed on a stand.

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