Parable: Shine, if you are the Light; Show works, if you are Godly and Good.

1. Jesus says that people are either good or evil.

God the Word became a man. He was the man Jesus. God the Father was speaking his word through this man Jesus; and so, whatever Jesus taught was the word of God, even though he was a man at that time. Jesus Christ says that people are either good or evil. He teaches this in many ways. But, people sometimes call good as evil, and evil as good. So, Jesus tells us that we must know them by their fruits; fruits are their works. But evil people teach us, not to look at the works. Their famous cliché is: "not by works, but by grace." They twist bible to teach this. This is an attempt of the devil to stick the label 'good' on evil people. It is also to call the sinning people as saved, so that they may never be saved thinking that they are already saved. The devil makes them blind.

2. God is Light, he is good; If you are light, be good.

God is light and his people will also have light. If you do not have light; and if you are a candle or if we have oil in your lamp (oil is the commandments of Jesus Christ, and if have received his doctrine); you must be lighted by God. God will light you if you ask him to. If we are lighted, you have received the holy spirit of God, and then you must be placed on a candle stick, or on a lamp stand, but not under a bushel. Then, you will give light to your household and to others. That is, you will do good works by the spirit, others will see it or receive it, and they will glorify God. Jesus says that God is good, and his people will also be good. God is light and his people will also be light. Shining is doing good works. However, God is very powerful, he is Almighty, but the people of God have very little power. God is as the sun; he is so bright; and if we look at his light, we will go blind. But, the people of God are as the candle light, and they are very feeble. Yet, if we keep on shining; that is, if we keep doing good works in our spiritual level; we can receive more power from God, and grow in power, in spirit, and in grace; until we grow to the stature of Jesus Christ. If we keep it up; in resurrection, we will see him as he is, and we will be like him.

3. Put lighted candle on candlestick, not under a bushel.

Good and light are synonyms in God's vocabulary. So, shining is doing good works. Now, let us study this parable of Jesus. It is on Matthew 5:13-16, Mark 4:21&22, Luke 8:16&17, and Luke 11:33-35. Let us study it from Matthew 5:13-16, since it has one extra point. We include Ephesians 5:14 and Luke 11:35 also. What does Jesus Christ wants us to do, from this parable? Let us study, and you decide what you will do.

["Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."]

["Mark 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad."]

["Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."]

["Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light... 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness."]

["Ephesians 5:14 says, Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 13 ... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"]

4. Jesus is the Light of the world; follow the Light.

Jesus was teaching Jews at the temple. He tells them in "John 8:12, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Jews were critical of Jesus and did not accept him. Jesus told them that he is the light of the world. In this context, Jesus tells about the impartation of the holy spirit, which is the light; and says that he will give it to anybody in the whole world, but not only to the Jews; and Jews hate him more for that. However, let us see how will this happen? First, we must follow him by walking; in his light, in his brightness, in his truth, in his manifestations, and in his godliness. If we follow him sincerely, then Jesus will give us the light to be in us, making us also lights. Then. we will shine by doing good works by obeying him. This light, which is his spirit, will lead us to eternal life. Then we will inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.

5. If you have received oil, ask God to light your oil.

Here, symbolically we are compared to lamps. We may receive the word of God, which are the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ in us, and spiritually, it is the oil that is filled in us. If so, God ignites this oil with the fire, which is his holy spirit. Now, we are lighted lamps, that is, we have become lights. Now, we will do the works of righteousness, by obeying Jesus Christ, naturally and instinctively. But, if we are not able to do the good works, then God has not lighted our oil, and so we do not have the holy spirit. "Ephesians 5:14 says, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." That is, wake up and ask God, and he will ignite you with the holy spirit. Then you can also shine, with good works. Instead, if you pretend as you have the light, which is the holy spirit, as many Christians do; then your light is darkness. "Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness." Then God says, take heed. So, repent, get down from the horse of religious pride, humble yourself, ask God for the holy spirit. Don't just keep saying that you have the holy spirit already. "Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 13 ... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Surrender to God as a child and ask him as you ask your father, he will give you his holy spirit. Also, receive the life of Jesus Christ in you, so that you may shine for him instinctively with good works. Then, you will inherit the kingdom of God as his child. Then, you will be with Jesus Christ as joint heirs throughout eternity.

6. If God has lit you, shine your light to all in the house.

Jesus Christ continues to teach his disciples. He tells them in, "Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." If the light of Jesus Christ be in us, we will do the good works that he has done. When we do good works, people will see us, we will be on a pedestal, and we cannot hide. Our light, which are good works, will be seen by others, and they will glorify God, since Jesus Christ is doing this through us. These works are by God. It will not be like the works of charitable organizations of politicians. Their charities are to exploit and to plunder poor people.

7. If you are a disciple, you are Salt; never lose Savor.

"Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? (means it cannot be salted again) it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Jesus tells his disciple that they are the salt of the earth, and he also gives a warning to them. If you are not a disciple, this is not for you, until you become a disciple. Salt is the most vital part in our food; without salt no food will have taste, but salt is not recognized for its role, since it is not a dish. So also, disciples will not be respected. Salt has a very powerful nature, that is to be saltiest and it is the very purpose of its existence. In the same way, his disciples must manifest the purity and power of his gospel, his doctrine, his grace, and his spirit, for the eternal life of people. Animals in the wild do not have salt in their food, and they do not care for it. So also, most of the people, who are not the children for eternal life, will not care for the salt. However, this is not an excuse for the disciples, not to be saltiest. Salt is the most needed and indispensable substance. But it will become a reject, if it lost its savor. The savor of this salt is the determination and power to stand for God in righteousness and in holiness. His disciples must not lose the manifest presence of Jesus Christ in them. So, if you are a disciple, you must be very zealous for God with boldness, manifesting his grace, power, and his presence. If you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ, become his disciple, because the glory in eternity for millions of years will be so great.