For His Name’s Sake
Matthew 5:10-13
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
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 by men.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Have you ever met someone who, from the very beginning, just did not like you? There was nothing you did or said; they just did not like you.
It is uncomfortable to be around people like who behave in such a manner. But we must realize that we do not have to stand on a soapbox preaching the gospel to bring about persecution. And we need to understand persecution can be as subtle as another person simply not liking you without cause.
When you have the Spirit of God within you there is a discernable difference in your behavior. You pray before your meal, even in public. You choose to live a holy life and encourage others to do the same. You seek to lift up others and you choose peace instead of conflict, graciousness instead of gossip.
Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt is not just something we use to flavor our food; it is a preservative. My grandparents had given up farming before I was born, but they still had several small structures on their property made of logs and mud. One of these structures was a smokehouse, and inside that house hung salted meat. Just as salt preserved that meat, we are called to preserve our world, at least our immediate world. How? By letting Christ be reflected in all we say and do.
We have all been to restaurants where the salt was so hard and caked together that it could not be used. Salt exposed to the elements does not just lose its flavor, it loses its preservative ability. If we are to be the salt of the earth, we must maintain our flavor by staying in the Word and spending time in prayer and with other likeminded believers.
PRAYER: Our Father, some preach that holy living is easy living, but we know that is not the case. We pray today for strength to stand up for the gospel of Jesus Christ while showing love and compassion in everything we do and say. Amen.
Christ is the Light
John 3:19-22
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
John the Baptist’s Testimony About Jesus
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. In fact, my fear of the dark continued into early adulthood. The darkness was overwhelming, shrouding me, and images appeared that were not there at all. Sounds emerged that were normal for an older house, but frightening for a child.
I no longer fear the darkness in any room. I am now rational enough to know that only what was present when the lights were on will be there when the lights are off. But now I am made aware of the spiritual darkness, and while I do not fear it, nor do I ignore its presence.
John wrote this gospel while in Ephesus. It is different from the other gospels in that it is written in chronological order and begins with Jesus as the Word, before he was Incarnate. In today’s scripture we see that even though Jesus brought light into the world, some remained in darkness.
Why do we turn from light to darkness? Because there is sin in our lives that has not yet been addressed. Or perhaps there is an addiction that we want to put away, but we cannot
There are some things we cannot do for ourselves. One of those things is defeat sin and darkness. We must rely on Jesus for our redemption and the Holy Spirit for our help. Otherwise, the darkness becomes pervasive and the light is snuffed out.
PRAYER: Our Father, how good it is to be able to call you Father. We pray that we would seek out the light of your Word and bathe in the light of your truth. Amen
Be children of light
Living as Children of Light
Ephesians4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
What comes to mind when you think of corruption? I always think of politics and the big cities that have a reputation of being run by dishonest people, or the machine as it is sometimes called. Paul warns us here that we can become corrupted or tarnished by deceitful desires.
It always amazes me that as Christians we are can be so resistant to giving up the ways of the world. The excuse “we’re only human” boggles my mind, since we are humans empowered by the Holy Spirit. Have we forgotten that the Holy Spirit was powerful enough to raise Jesus from the grave? Shouldn’t He have enough power to enable us to walk in the light, keeping our talk pure and our actions kind-hearted?
PRAYER: Father, today we pray that you would make us mindful of all you have given us to keep us on the path to holiness. We have your Word, we have your Spirit, we have the ability to come to you in prayer and we have this institution called church where like-minded people gather to worship you and receive support for daily living. May we make use of all that you have given us and may we be drawn to the light of your love forever. Amen
Be imitators of God
Ephesians 5
5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
As a little girl I remember trying to imitate my mother and my aunts. I tried to walk like they walked, I tried to mimic their singing, and occasionally I would do what every little girl loves to do—try on their jewelry. Why was I eager to imitate them? Because I loved them.
Today’s scripture tells us we are to imitate God, and of course the way we imitate God is to live and love like Jesus. Why? Because we love God, and because we are His children. Paul goes on to tell the Ephesians, and us, that we should keep ourselves so pure there will not be a hint of immorality, impurity or greed. Even a hint. And Paul goes so far as to tell us not to associate with those who have these characteristics. This is tough talk, but the Christian walk is a tough walk!
The darkness of sin is something from which the disciple should be completely severed. There should be no longing for anything that would make us fall off of the pathway to holiness. The problem today is that the defining line between the church and the world has become so small that at times it is barely discernable.
In your Sunday School do you study the Word, taking it apart, chewing on it, getting a complete understanding of God’s will, or does your study consist of self-help books and books about keeping our planet green? Does your pastor not only encourage you from the pulpit but exhort you to live a holy life, or have platitudes and “feel good” sermons replaced those that remind you of your duties as a disciple?
Be imitators of God, dear children, and live a life of love.
PRAYER: Father, how do we so consistently miss the mark? I pray today that we would keep our eyes upon you, for it only then that we will be able to imitate you and leave the desires of this world behind. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 