Just as “Arise” in Isaiah 60:1 is a command, ”Shine” in Matthew 5:16 is also a command. The command to shine is a call to you to show the light inside you. This implies that you should show forth your good works and show the world that you belong to God. Action they say speaks louder than voice. Jesus Himself said by their fruits ye shall know them (Matthew 7:20). It can also mean to roll back or resist darkness. In the natural world, when light shines where there has been darkness, the darkness recedes. Therefore you as a child of God are to kick out the devil; kick him out of your family, out of your workplace and out of your community (Mark 16:17). Sicknesses, failure, demonic oppression, bondage and sorrow are all manifestations of darkness. It is your duty to kick them out.
The command to “shine” could also mean, “Show your potential”. We as children of God are destined for greatness (Ephesians 1:18-23). It also means that you should use your talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We all have certain talents given to us by our Master that we should put to use and make gains for Him with. We should be wise and not behave like that wicked and slothful servant, who went to hide his Master’s talent in the ground. Of course, you know that the end of that servant was terrible; he was cast out into the outer darkness after the one talent he refused to use had been given to the servant who made use of his own five and gained five more. May you not end the way this wicked servant ended in Jesus’ Name.
To shine can also mean “Do exploits” (Daniel 11:32). Exploits means “Great things”. To shine also means to excel, to be above all others, just like Daniel and his friends excelled above all the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:17-20). To shine can also mean to generate or produce light. This further means that, Jesus, being the Light of the world, is reproducing His light in us (John 9:5). There is no way you will generate light without producing heat. This is what makes the difference between the sun and the moon. The sun generates light on its surface and its heat is felt on earth, though it is 93 million miles away. The moon however does not generate light, it only reflects the light from the sun, and hence we do not feel any heat from it, though it is only about 239,000 miles away. This indicates that as you generate light, the heat of persecution is bound to come along. You do not need to be frightened or scared; you just need to be prepared for it.
article by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
