Discipling the Undisciplined no. 4

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, 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 in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). There are a lot of salty people out there BUT not in the way Jesus was talking. Salt in the way of adding flavor and zest to life. Spicing up a world that needs some light and hope. That is the kind of salt we need to be and not the copious amounts of salt that make things unpalatable. That is kind of why one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. We have to know when to say when. And that all comes from listening to the Spirit, studying the Word, and living in community with people. All those elements help us become a better witness to others.

There is no need to be obnoxious about being a Christian. There is also no need to be ashamed about being a Christian. Christians are called to be a light to the world. BUT the light, again, is His light and His Good News and His Kingdom teaching. It isn’t anything we have done that is lighting the world. It is everything that He has done. So let us temper the light we bring with some humility and some grace and some mercy. I think the way we bring the light should definitely line up with the fruits, “. . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things” (Galatians 5:22-23). If we are a Christian that is filled with the Spirit, then we are to exhibit those qualities in our witness. And, dudes, what a light that witness will be.

To a world that looks to divide and create groups and separate, Christians bring love. To a world that is filled with depression and anxiety, Christians bring joy. To a world looking to argue and fight and place blame, Christians bring peace. To a world that needs things right now and has a microwave mindset, Christians bring patience. To a world where the needs of others are overlooked and folks are looking out for themselves, Christians bring kindness. To a world looking to make that bag and acquire all sorts of creature comforts, Christians bring generosity. To a world where folks change allegiance and betray family and friends, Christians bring faithfulness. To a world that is cruel and difficult and uncaring, Christians bring gentleness. To a world that wants everything and values self pleasure, Christians bring self control. What are you bringing to the world?

#DisciplingTheUndisciplined #ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #SeekFirstTheKingdom #ServeOneAnotherInLove #NotMyWayYHWH