CALL TO INFLUENCE

MEMORY VERSE: 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 an 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. Matthew 5:13-16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 9-12

Christians all other the world, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, Pentecostals, etc, are called, by Jesus, to influence the world. Jesus said to His disciples: “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 an 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 (Matthew 5:13-16).” We are called to be different i.e. to live a radically different lifestyle from the world, so that we may be effective as salt and light in it.

How are we to influence the world? Firstly, by being the salt of the world. There are several uses of salts, but today we will look at the use of salt to prevent decay. Many centuries back before refrigeration was invented salt was used to keep meat wholesome, and to prevent decay. As Christians, we are called to stop society going bad. One way to go about this is by our words. We need to speak out about moral standards, and moral issues. Some of the things that used to be a taboo twenty years ago are now normal today. It used to be a shameful thing several years back to be caught fornicating, or committing adultery, but today people fornicate, or commit adultery and even record it on their mobile phones to share it with their friends. It used to be a shameful thing to go to prison years back. Actually people used to dread prison but now, it is normal. Especially amongst our youths, once you go to prison you become a celebrity. We can also use our influence to bring about God’s standards in society around us. As we play our part as citizens aiming to create better social structures, working for justice, freedom, and dignity for the individual, and by helping to abolish discrimination, we can stop society going bad.

Secondly, by being the light in the world. Jesus calls us to be light – to allow the light of Christ to shine through us. We do this by what Jesus calls ‘your good deeds’ – everything that we do or say because we are Christians. Living out the Christian life is the most appropriate way of passing on the good news to those who live in very close proximity to us. This certainly applies to our family, colleagues at work, and flatmates. If they know we are Christians, that fact alone puts them under a degree of pressure. To be continually speaking about our faith may backfire. They are more likely to be affected by our genuine love, and concern. At work people should notice our consistency, honesty, truthfulness, hard work, reliability, avoidance of gossip, and desire to encourage other people. At home, parents, family and flatmates will be influenced by our service to others, our patience, and our kindness, far more than our words. Being ‘lights in the world’ does not just involve our lifestyle. It also involves our lips. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

QUESTION: Are you promoting decay or preventing decay by your speech, conduct and lifestyle?

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to be light and salt in this world.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.