LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Both of these examples are referring to our Christian witness to non-Christians and Christians alike. Sometimes we think that witnessing to non-Christians is the main focus for Christians, but more often than not our greatest influence is with other Christians. They can be as close as our own family, or those in our church. Our witness can come in positive ways or sadly to say in bad ways. We can encourage or discourage even to the point of turning people aways from Jesus.
Everyone is called to be a witness for Jesus. In fact we can’t help it. If we are a Christian, people will naturally watch us. The things we say and do will always be scrutinized to see if what we say we believe is really having an impact on our life. The old saying that others should believe what I say and not what I do, doesn’t play well no matter to who or where it is said. We live what really believe. If our children know the difference, so will our co-workers and the church too.
Our witness is influenced by many things. It can be done over a guilty conscious. How many pastors have you heard put a guilt trip on people by telling them that if they don’t witness to other people about Jesus, then we are not only sending them to hell but Jesus isn’t pleased with us? Some people feel that they can’t say or do things because they don’t know the Bible. Some feel that they might say the wrong thing. Some are afraid of possible conflict or persecution. The list can go on and on. Almost for every person there seems to be new excuses, and some of them are very valid. We are not all called to be evangelists as some pastors may make us believe. In fact sometimes Christians can do more harm in trying to win people to Jesus than they do good. They forget where they once came from, and feel like they need to bash people over the head with as big as Bible as they can find. If they can’t break them down so they are crying like a baby, then they think maybe the person really is not serious.
While everyone is not called to be an evangelist, we are called to be witness and a good witness for Jesus. People are wanting a reason to have hope for this life and one to come after death. They can spot a phony a mile off. What they want to see is a life changed and for the good. They want to see a life lived, and not a preacher in a black suit. They want to know that if they become a Christian it will be for the good and not bring regret. If Jesus is real then they want to see him in us, and not just a cross around our neck.
I Peter 3:15,16a says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,.” This is not so much memorizing a bunch of scripture, because you don’t have to intimidate or impress them. What they are wanting to know is why should they believe and trust in Jesus. In other words what has he done for you? And in this they are not necessarily looking for supernatural miracles. They want to know if Jesus really can make a difference in their everyday life. It all boils down to one beggar telling another beggar how they can find help. And remember there must have been something about your life for them to even inquire about Jesus.
Our witness for Jesus is our life lived. If we go around with the face of an old mule, sad and mad who will want to be like that? I have known many Christians like that. They are not good witnesses for Jesus, because they are not really born again. They are religious people that maybe have went to church for years, but never had a personal relationship with Jesus. Sometimes even pastors will fall into this category. This brings us to the point of saltiness that has lost its saltiness. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. He will come to rob us of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He will take away our Christ-likeness being love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness gentleness and self-control. He will steal our witness by enticing us to sin and do the things of the world that even the world knows is wrong. Satan will even take our life if we let him. Once Satan and the powers of darkness do this to us it will be very hard for us to have the same witness for Jesus. People will tend to look at us as fakes and not to be trusted. Often the person will never be able to influence people for Jesus again, even if they have turned for their sinfulness and returned to live a Christ-like live. The world will continue to look at them in expectation for them to return to their sinfulness. Anything they may not said or do will often be trampled underwood and labeled as worthless. This is not to say that a Christian is perfect, but the witness of a Christian is very fragile in the judgmentalism of a doubting world.
So what are we to do? Well, love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and others as yourself. You don’t have to prove your love for Jesus or his love for you. Just like your love for your wife and children, people will see you love for Jesus and they will want that love in their life too. They more they see your love for Jesus the less they will focus on your humanity. Just let your love for Jesus shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Those in the darkness will be attracted to it like a moth to a light bulb.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit and Lord Jesus, please help us to love you so much that everyone that knows us will want to love you too! We ask this in Jesus’ name.
