Salt and Light
Jesus told His followers, “Ye are the salt of the earth:” (Matthew 5:13) Salt helps prevent food from rotting. He also said, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Light dispels darkness. Christians are to be salt and light in the world. We are to strive against sin and the spiritual rot and darkness it brings to people’s lives by “Holding forth the word of life;” (Philippians 2:16) The “word of life” is the Bible.
According to a recent Gallup poll, only about 20% of Americans believe the Bible is the literal word of God. The problem is not the Bible. The problem is lack of exposure to the Bible. According to another Gallup poll, 16% of Americans read the Bible daily; fairly close to the percentage of those who believe it is God’s word. The point here is that the more you make the Bible part of your everyday life–or do not do so–the more you learn to have confidence in it or not have confidence in it.
Based on the Gallup polls, most people likely have little or no regular exposure to the Bible. This is why Christians need to share God’s word in the public sector as well as with individuals.
Many people may not know this, but the Bible says life and gender are both established at conception: “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age:” (Luke 1:36) Elisabeth conceived and had a son: John the Baptist. John’s humanity and gender were established at conception.
Genesis 2:24 also says male-female marriage is the only appropriate venue for sexual activity: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Based on God’s word, then, abortion is the killing of a human being, transgender behavior is a way of denying what God made you, and same-sex intimacy is wrong. People who support these behaviors may mean well and think they are helping those who struggle with them, but they’re not telling the truth.
When Christians protest against abortion or against gay- or trans-curriculum in schools, or elsewhere in a public forum, it’s not to be about hating people, but about telling the truth and hating sin. As a Christian, you can love people but hate their sin. Likewise, you can love someone who has made liquor, gambling, pornography, or tobacco part of their life, even though you hate their sinful, destructive behavior.
Christians who stand for God’s word will likely irritate people. Salt can be an irritant. You’ve heard of “rubbing salt in the wound?” Light can irritate, too, especially if you’re trying to sleep. People may call Christians who share God’s word publicly haters and extremists. Yet the Lord told us to be “…speaking the truth in love,” (Ephesians 4:15) Sharing God’s word in public is not about political battles or forcing an agenda. It is about loving people enough to tell them the truth.
Most importantly, sharing truth is about giving people hope for eternity. Hope must be based on truth. God’s word is truth. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “And that he [Jesus] died for all,” Jesus died on the cross for every sinful act, thought, and deed that everyone in the world would ever commit. Moreover, there is no one Jesus is not willing to forgive and save, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Sin of any kind deceives people, hardens their hearts against God, and provokes them to be unwilling to hear how to be saved: “…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13) Sharing Jesus’ love and salvation is the most important reason Christians must stand for God’s word.
To see how to receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour and have your sins forgiven and eternal life, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 2/12/20204