As we reflect on sharing the good news with people in our networks the Bible urges us to see that truth and life go together. How we live amongst our friends gives us permission to share our lives, tell our stories, and speak of our Saviour. The New Testament is full of practical exhortations and observations to encourage us in this.
Jesus uses the imagery of salt and light to describe the function the people of God have in their local community, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” God’s people by their lives ought to glorify their Father in heaven.
Paul picks up the light imagery as he urges the Philippians, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Truth and life come together in God’s people. He also applies the salt imagery as he exhorts the Colossians, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Again truth and life come together in that our lives bear witness to the words we long to speak.
Peter encourages Christians in difficult places, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” The godly life and a willingness to share the truth go hand in hand.
Even slaves are encouraged to be salt and light in their service to their masters. So Paul urges Titus, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” From this specific example we see the godly life makes the teaching of our saviour attractive. How do you think this principle works for employees?
As Good News Week: Real Life in August gives us a focussed opportunity to hold out the word of life to our friends. We need take opportunities in the next few weeks to share our lives with our friends, so our godly lives, seasoned with salt, shining like stars give us an opportunity to hold out the Word of life to our friends.
Go to it !
Jesus uses the imagery of salt and light to describe the function the people of God have in their local community, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” God’s people by their lives ought to glorify their Father in heaven.
Paul picks up the light imagery as he urges the Philippians, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Truth and life come together in God’s people. He also applies the salt imagery as he exhorts the Colossians, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Again truth and life come together in that our lives bear witness to the words we long to speak.
Peter encourages Christians in difficult places, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” The godly life and a willingness to share the truth go hand in hand.
Even slaves are encouraged to be salt and light in their service to their masters. So Paul urges Titus, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” From this specific example we see the godly life makes the teaching of our saviour attractive. How do you think this principle works for employees?
As Good News Week: Real Life in August gives us a focussed opportunity to hold out the word of life to our friends. We need take opportunities in the next few weeks to share our lives with our friends, so our godly lives, seasoned with salt, shining like stars give us an opportunity to hold out the Word of life to our friends.
Go to it !
GP
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