Friday, April 25, 2008
SALT & LIGHT
In the sermon on the Mount Jesus gives core truth about Christian living in the world. One of his best known principles is that his people are to be as salt and light in the world. The world is to notice how we live, and how we live both draws them to Jesus and validates his mission.
It is such a well-known principle that we can forget how important our salt and light is and how potent it should be. Moreover, when we believe the delusion that we live in a Christian culture, we don't feel the imperative to live differently. It is easy to slide into a belief that if we look pretty much like the rest of the world, nothing is really wrong. We forget the powerful call and impact of being salt and light.
Two recent articles served to remind me of this most important core truth and that it really does make a difference. Both cases are from other cultures where Christianity does not have an easy way.
Chuck Colson reports that many Muslims are turning to Christ. A professor of Islamic studies wanted to find out why. His research determined that the number one reason for conversions was the lifestyle of the Christians in their midst. A couple quotes: "There was no gap between the moral profession and the practice of Christians" they knew. "Christians treat women as equals" and "adopted a simple lifestyle."
The second article reports from China (Christianity Today, May 2008) that in spite of government roadblocks, people are very open to Christianity. When answering the question as to why, an interviewee responded "Many Chinese people think Christians are trustworthy. If they want to hire an employee or they want to have a babysitter at home, they prefer to invite a Christian. Christians have good reputations. During many disasters in China, churches were involved in relief work to poor areas, and even the government was encouraged. Churches are having an influence by being examples of moral behavior." (p.31)
This is still the best way to "do evangelism" and spread the kingdom of God. It is our individual integrity as a Christian that is the biggest opportunity or, conversely, roadblock to drawing people to Christ.
You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
It is such a well-known principle that we can forget how important our salt and light is and how potent it should be. Moreover, when we believe the delusion that we live in a Christian culture, we don't feel the imperative to live differently. It is easy to slide into a belief that if we look pretty much like the rest of the world, nothing is really wrong. We forget the powerful call and impact of being salt and light.
Two recent articles served to remind me of this most important core truth and that it really does make a difference. Both cases are from other cultures where Christianity does not have an easy way.
Chuck Colson reports that many Muslims are turning to Christ. A professor of Islamic studies wanted to find out why. His research determined that the number one reason for conversions was the lifestyle of the Christians in their midst. A couple quotes: "There was no gap between the moral profession and the practice of Christians" they knew. "Christians treat women as equals" and "adopted a simple lifestyle."
The second article reports from China (Christianity Today, May 2008) that in spite of government roadblocks, people are very open to Christianity. When answering the question as to why, an interviewee responded "Many Chinese people think Christians are trustworthy. If they want to hire an employee or they want to have a babysitter at home, they prefer to invite a Christian. Christians have good reputations. During many disasters in China, churches were involved in relief work to poor areas, and even the government was encouraged. Churches are having an influence by being examples of moral behavior." (p.31)
This is still the best way to "do evangelism" and spread the kingdom of God. It is our individual integrity as a Christian that is the biggest opportunity or, conversely, roadblock to drawing people to Christ.
You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
