Matthew 5:16 - This Little Light

"This Little Light of Mine" is a children's Gospel song that has been used to promote everything from civil rights to Gatorade to Three Musketeers candy bars.

There's debate as to who originally wrote the song. The truth is, Jesus was the one who started the song! He told His disciples:

Matthew 5:14–16 (New Living Translation) — 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

But in another place, Jesus said of Himself:
"...while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 (NLT) 

So is Jesus "the light of the world" or are His followers "the light of the world?"
The answer is yes... both.

Jesus was the Light of the World while He was on earth, and He still is, as reflected in His people because "the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

You can identify if a  "little light" is from God, if God is the one who gets the credit for the light:
"whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 (NASB) 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.

God, Make our service to others shine in a way that you get the credit for it!
In Jesus' name, Amen.