Purposeful witness
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-16
Every day through radio and television airwaves, print media, internet, billboards, and every possible form of communications are flooded with advertisements with a purpose of influencing the masses’ to get attracted to their product that will lead them to buy the same. From the text, believers are also called to provide this world a godly influence. God wants Christians to have a positive effect in the way people are living in this world. This they do by living out their godly life before a watching world. They are called upon to be witnesses of His love and mercy. We provide others our godly witness when we reflect a strong commitment and conviction to the ways of the Lord. Daniel is an example of this strong conviction to biblical principles. After Jerusalem was seized by the Babylonians, the Israelites were forced to follow their ways. But Daniel made a commitment that he will not defile himself by eating the king’s food and wine. For him, to give in was to violate God’s Word (see Exodus 34:15). What mattered to him and his friends was their obedience to God and His word. Commitment to obeying God’s word is a result of a growing relationship with God. Once we recognize that His word is given to us so we will know how to live the life He gave us, then we will have the confidence to live out His purpose for our lives. We must be committed to follow His word for it was given to provide us wisdom for our daily living. “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). If you want God to use your life so you could influence others for His glory, you must be committed to your convictions founded in His word. Remember that there is a great possibility that God will use our testimony so that others will be drawn to God. “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). So do not take for granted the godly influence you could provide to those around you.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
