Sometimes what I write on this blog may sound all "doom and gloom" to some people since I write about Bible Prophecy and how we are living in the last days....the very end of the end times. But to born-again believers in Jesus Christ, these are exciting times ! From Bible prophecy we know Christ will rapture believers soon to be in heaven with Him. That is a glorious and happy hope ! (Titus 2:13)
As followers of Jesus, we need to be living godly lives and witnessing to lost souls about how Jesus can give them eternal life if they surrender to Him and believe in Him.
A big part of living a holy life is to be "Salt and Light" while we reside on this earth. Jesus has this to say at Matthew 5:13-16,
" 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. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Not only preachers, but all who profess to follow Jesus should be the salt of the earth and save the world from decay and destruction. Actually, only the Lord can save, of course, but we can do our part to share the Gospel with others.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus mentions if the salt has lost its savor it is good for nothing. This was possible in the land of Judea, in particular the Valley of Salt, where some salt exposed to the elements, was good for nothing.... it had lost its savor. But the inner part which was connected to the rock, kept its savor.
As Christians, we do not want to be like the exposed salt to the wind and rain and sun - the elements - (the lusts and temptations of this wicked world) and no longer have the life of Christ within us or we have lost our first love for Him and the witness of His Spirit. Instead we need to stay connected with the Rock; if we are close to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can preserve our savor and be of help to others...to do some good in this life.
Let us now consider verse 16 of Matthew 5, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
In essence, in all you do in your life, let it be seen that you are a real Christian. This means to manifest light in your wholesome conversation, in your holy life, in all of your actions and where you spend your time. Let it all be to the glory of God.
Don't be like the Pharisees of Jesus' day who acted to be seen of men. Instead, we should seek to glorify our heavenly Father. Don't concern yourself with what other people may think of you. You just do the will of God, and by your conduct other people may be brought to glorify God. By observing your godly life and the power and the purity of the Gospel, others may be won to become Christians also.
Keep in mind that if you are a true Christian, then your identity with Christ cannot be concealed. You will be different from the world, and you will stand out as being in another realm or mindset than ungodly men and women.
There are some "Christians" that profess religion and Jesus, but they live just like other people (people of the world), and give no evidence that they were truly converted and born-again. We can only conclude that they are "baby Christians" and have not yet matured, or that they were never truly saved in the first place.
To genuinely "let your light shine", you need a close, personal, and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is accomplished by daily and intense prayer, and by daily saturating your mind with the holy Word of God. Your soul will thrive and be full of light if you follow this advice of the Bible. And your light will shine and radiate upon those with whom you come in contact with.
Some of you might be very poor and feel as if you can contribute little to improving and guiding lost souls. Some may feel very weak and unlearned and unknown. No matter. If your heart is right with the Lord, He can use you! If only by living a pure and godly life, by being humble and sincere, our Christian lives are not in vain. People will take note of your godly life and attitude and realize that you are a child of God.
As a "bonus", your endeavoring to be like Jesus will give you great joy and a peace within your soul....even in chaotic times like we are experiencing right now.
"The greatest joy of a Christian is to give joy to Christ." - Charles Spurgeon
Jesus wants His disciples' joy to be complete.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
There are some "Christians" that profess religion and Jesus, but they live just like other people (people of the world), and give no evidence that they were truly converted and born-again. We can only conclude that they are "baby Christians" and have not yet matured, or that they were never truly saved in the first place.
To genuinely "let your light shine", you need a close, personal, and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is accomplished by daily and intense prayer, and by daily saturating your mind with the holy Word of God. Your soul will thrive and be full of light if you follow this advice of the Bible. And your light will shine and radiate upon those with whom you come in contact with.
Some of you might be very poor and feel as if you can contribute little to improving and guiding lost souls. Some may feel very weak and unlearned and unknown. No matter. If your heart is right with the Lord, He can use you! If only by living a pure and godly life, by being humble and sincere, our Christian lives are not in vain. People will take note of your godly life and attitude and realize that you are a child of God.
As a "bonus", your endeavoring to be like Jesus will give you great joy and a peace within your soul....even in chaotic times like we are experiencing right now.
"The greatest joy of a Christian is to give joy to Christ." - Charles Spurgeon
Jesus wants His disciples' joy to be complete.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
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