There are at least three dimensions of the light that is to shine from the Body of Christ:

Christ shining through the Church in godly behavior.

Christ shining through the Church in supernatural power.

Christ shining through the Church in revelation concerning the Person, purpose, and way of God.

These three constitute:

What the Church is in moral character.

What the Church can do.

What the Church states.

The "good works" that mankind sees in the saint of God are the actions that spring from the nature that has been transformed by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Substance of Christ: good deeds performed in love; the maintaining of a joyful spirit in all kinds of difficulties; peace in the midst of turmoil; patience in the face of threats and belligerence; self-control and temperance in the use of the world; cleanliness of speech and behavior (Galatians 5:22,23). These good works enable the people of the world to gain understanding of the true Character of God. They are the light in the darkness of the present hour.

The supernatural works of power that the Christian Church is enabled to perform also serve as a light to the world. Faith that comes from God and that brings about God's intervention in circumstances; extraordinary healings and miracles that temporarily set aside the laws of nature; the ability to discern the good and evil spirits that are active in a given situation—these are the Lampstand of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, to speak figuratively.

Supernatural manifestations of wisdom and power are the shining of the Glory of the Spirit of God in the material world (I Corinthians 12:8-10).

The light of Christ was revealed not only through the moral perfection of His Nature but also through the miraculous signs with which His ministry was surrounded. If Christ had been morally perfect but had not performed miraculous deeds, He would have been the world's greatest teacher and example of how people should conduct themselves but He would not have been the Teacher from God.

On the other hand, if Christ had worked His many miracles but was not morally perfect, it would have been evident that He came from another world but there would have been a question as to which world He came from. Also, He would not have been able to serve as the unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What the Church is and does in moral character and behavior is one dimension of the light of the world. What the Church is able to perform in the area of miraculous works of power is a second dimension of the light of the world.

A church made up of members who are morally perfect but who are not exercising works of Divine power may be the world's greatest example of righteous living, but part of the Divine witness is lacking.

A church composed of members who perform supernatural works in Jesus' name, but who are careless about their moral conduct, is in contact with spiritual power; but the testimony is sullied and the members will be rejected by if they do not repent. God cannot operate His plan of redemption when His people are continuing in uncleanness and unrighteousness.

To be continued.