The purpose of light is to illuminate an area without light. There is less light during night time.

When the sun is up we all are capable of seeing more clearly. We all use light in our lives in order to see more clearly the things that we need to look at. If you are ever awake at night time and you have something to look for, you have to turn on the light. Jesus says in Matthew 5:15 that no person lights a light in order to cover it up again. Will your purpose in looking for an item be successfully accomplished if you decide to put a sweater over your light bulb after you have turned it on? Jesus tells us that no one does this! This illustration is significant because whether one is aware of it or not, many people are covering up the light. John 8:12 tells us that Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus, being the Light, was manifested for a purpose. God did not send Jesus down to earth as the light of the world just to bring Him back up into heaven without first accomplishing His purpose. Matthew 5:14 says we humans are also the light of the world. Now how is this possible? Isn't Jesus the light of the world? The way this is possible is because everyone who is called by Jesus and decides to come to Him becomes part of His body. Romans 12:5 says, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." When Paul says "we," He is referring to the people who become the sons of God. How does one become a son of God? John 1:12 tells us, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Therefore, those who receive Jesus become the sons of God, even though they were once without Jesus. Paul refers to this process as the Spirit of Adoption in Romans 8:15. We see that God has willed that all of us become His sons because of the text in Ephesians 1:5 which states, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." The word predestinated is not to suggest that God sent His Son to die for a chosen few so that only those chosen few are saved. God decided beforehand that fallen humanity should be saved through His Son Jesus Christ as long as they accepted His sacrifice on Calvary and take Him as the Lord of their lives. When we have accepted Jesus into our lives, we become adopted as a son by the Spirit to become a member that makes up the body of Christ. Thus, we have a duty to do. Just like a literal human body is made up of many parts and organs which each play a vital role in sustaining the human organism, so should the members of Christ body fulfill their purpose. As Jesus is the light of the world, so should we be the light of this world because Jesus is the light which dwells within us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 states "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Light's sole purpose is to aid someone in seeing through the darkness. Since sin had entered into this world, the world has become a dark and somber place to live. There is always news of some calamity that takes place just about every day. Seldom is there news about good deeds that have been done. There have been reports of people committing suicide, not only because of the economy, but also because individuals have a lack of self-worth. Jesus prophesied as an end time prophecy that the following will take place; "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."(Luke 21:26). All of us were not drawn to Jesus just so we can be saved. We were drawn to Jesus so that we can draw others to Him as well! It's not His will for us to hide the gospel, but He desires it us to"preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15). Jesus didn't just give you knowledge about Him to be kept to yourself, to be put under a bushel," but He gave you knowledge so that it can be put "on a candlestick."(Matthew 5:15)

If you are in a dark room with 35 people, and each person has a candle in their hand, and you have only one match which will go out within four seconds after lighting it, at most, you can probably light 2 candles. Now, how are the other candles going to be lit? They will get the fire from other candles. Beloved brethren, we are the candles that have the light of the gospel, the fire of Jesus, which were lit for the purpose of giving light to others! 1 Corinthians 9:16 makes it clear. "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" If you know about Jesus and your not preaching the gospel, you are trying to cover up the light which God has given you for the sole purpose of being seen! You wouldn't turn on your lamp just to cover it up with something else or break it. Therefore, we should not cover up the gospel, but share it, which yields the effect of Matthew 5:16 which states, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Instead of our headlines reading, "Man kills himself and family," it should read, "Thousands baptized throughout United States!" If we want to see these desired results, we must share our faith and preach the gospel. We must give light to this sin darkened world that we may fulfill God's purpose.