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This week, let’s think about the fact that God wants us to be lights in the world. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:14-16). And Paul wrote that we should be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).
If we let our light shine as we should, God will be glorified (1 Pt. 4:11). There is an inherent attractiveness to the truth, and if we live and practice God’s truth, others will be drawn to its goodness. If we serve others in the strength that God supplies, those who are served will be moved by love and gratitude to glorify God.
Someone has aptly said, “A Christian is someone who has met one.” The power of a truly Christlike life is a considerable force. Confronted with the desirability of the life of a person who is genuinely walking with the Lord, many people would be pulled in the direction of obeying the gospel themselves. But sadly, most people in the world have never personally encountered anything but inferior examples and cheap imitations of what a Christian ought to be. They see nothing in the life of such “Christians” that they cannot do without. But if they ever met a real Christian, the story might be different. It is up to us to see that none of our acquaintances arrive at the judgment day without having seen an example of the very best that life in Christ can be.
Sometimes we fail to set the right example because we think our actions are so “little” they won’t make any difference. But that is looking at it in the wrong light. No matter how “little” our actions may be, God can use them for good. Our example may have more impact than we think.
We need to meditate on the power of the gospel, and the power of a life that really takes the gospel seriously. Let’s remember how critical our example can be in the spread of the gospel and let our lights shine. If we are the people we should be and can be, others will be drawn to the Lord and souls will be saved by Him.
Monday: Genesis 6:5-22
Key Idea: We can be faithful to God even if the world around us has forgotten God.
Questions for Family Growth: How evil had the world become in Noah’s day? In contrast to those around him, what kind of man was Noah? In 2 Pt. 2:5 it says that Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (NKJV). What does that mean?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27:5.
Tuesday: Matthew 5:13-16
Key Idea: Jesus taught us to be an influence for good in the world.
Questions for Family Growth: What are the purposes served by salt? In what ways should our actions be the “salt of the earth”? What are some ways that we can be the “light of the world”? What will be the result when others see our good works?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27:6.
Wednesday: Matthew 9:35-38
Key Idea: We need to be laborers in God’s work.
Questions for Family Growth: What is the “harvest” that Jesus spoke of? What do we as “laborers” do in this harvest? In v.36, what attitude did Jesus have toward the many people who needed the gospel?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27:7.
Thursday: 1 Peter 2:11,12
Key Idea: We should live honorable lives that are above reproach.
Questions for Family Growth: What does it mean that we are “sojourners and exiles” in the world? What does it mean to have our “conversation honest” (KJV)? What should we do about accusations made against us?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27:8.
Friday: Acts 8:1-4
Key Idea: Even if we are persecuted, we should still spread God’s word.
Questions for Family Growth: Why did many of the Christians have to leave Jerusalem? Where did they go? In v.4, what did these Christians do wherever they went? What is the application of this to us today?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27:9.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
