On Sunday mornings and in classes during the week, we are pondering the book of James in the series, “Rooted.” I like James because it’s a practical guide to Christian living. It has also prompted me to recall a sci-fi movie from 25 years ago in which humanity is on the verge of being totally destroyed by a dark and evil force. The militaries and governing authorities of the world are powerless to stop what is coming. But, there is a priest from a very ancient religion who holds the knowledge and key to their earthly salvation. Even though his religion is very out-of-touch with the world, it is their only hope.
Here’s the thing: If the followers to this ancient religion had not stayed true to their calling and teachings, the world would have been lost, totally annihilated. If they had compromised their beliefs, the world would have been in very big trouble. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16, 13 “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 underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Here’s the thing: Those of us who hold to the ancient and timeless Truth of Jesus and His teachings, also need to stay the course in a world headed for destruction. More and more our beliefs and lifestyle seem out-of-place, archaic, and out-of-touch. But, even so, we must hold true to what is Light and Truth. As the holders of Light and Truth, as possessors of Jesus and His teachings, if we do not go against the flow of an ever-darkening world of evil, then we will fail in delivering the Good News as outlined by Jesus in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We must stay true to being the salt and light of Jesus in this out-of-whack world. Salt preserves and brings out the taste of what is good in our daily lives. Light brings warmth, comfort, and illumination of what is right and wrong. But, salt and light without love, are worthless and ineffective. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) Living out the love of Jesus is the key. The perfect love of God never goes out of style. Loving God and our neighbor like ourselves never gets old.
In the darkness, where vileness and hatred are so prevalent, the love of Jesus must shine brighter than ever. Love never becomes archaic, unwanted, or unneeded. Be encouraged and press on, even though you may feel more and more antiquated and out-of-touch, we must hold true as Followers of Jesus. Love never fails!
18 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-12)
Peace,
steve
Here’s the thing: If the followers to this ancient religion had not stayed true to their calling and teachings, the world would have been lost, totally annihilated. If they had compromised their beliefs, the world would have been in very big trouble. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16, 13 “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 underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Here’s the thing: Those of us who hold to the ancient and timeless Truth of Jesus and His teachings, also need to stay the course in a world headed for destruction. More and more our beliefs and lifestyle seem out-of-place, archaic, and out-of-touch. But, even so, we must hold true to what is Light and Truth. As the holders of Light and Truth, as possessors of Jesus and His teachings, if we do not go against the flow of an ever-darkening world of evil, then we will fail in delivering the Good News as outlined by Jesus in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We must stay true to being the salt and light of Jesus in this out-of-whack world. Salt preserves and brings out the taste of what is good in our daily lives. Light brings warmth, comfort, and illumination of what is right and wrong. But, salt and light without love, are worthless and ineffective. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) Living out the love of Jesus is the key. The perfect love of God never goes out of style. Loving God and our neighbor like ourselves never gets old.
In the darkness, where vileness and hatred are so prevalent, the love of Jesus must shine brighter than ever. Love never becomes archaic, unwanted, or unneeded. Be encouraged and press on, even though you may feel more and more antiquated and out-of-touch, we must hold true as Followers of Jesus. Love never fails!
18 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-12)
Peace,
steve