June 22, 2013 … Salt and Light

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 173

  Passage of the Day #1: Acts 5: 13 [In the context of verses 12-14] [NLT] …  
12 Meanwhile, the apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared to join them, though everyone had high regard for them. 14 And more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.  
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Contextual Study for today’s passages above: Acts, Chapter 5 [NLT] … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Matthew 5: 13-16 [We must be salt and light in the world.] [NLT] …  
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. …”

Reference Passage #1: Acts 1: 8 [We’re called out to be witnesses to/for Christ!] [NLT] …  
8 “ … But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

My Journal for Today: When the world sees or hears you or me, do they see or hear anything which shines out as being different from themselves or do they sense values which are like salt in a wound?

In today’s Hillman devotional, the editor points back to a time after the resurrection when the people were drawn to the Apostles, … yet many stayed their distance. Most certainly the people were attracted to the wonders/deeds performed by the Apostles; but perhaps they were fearful because of what had happened to Ananias and Sapphira [see Acts 5: 1-11] or maybe because of the opposition imposed by the Jewish religious leaders of the day. But the people were drawn to the Apostles and the Gospel nonetheless; and many were converted because of the Apostles doing what Jesus had called them to do and to be … i.e., salt and light in the world (see Matt. 5: 13-16, copied above).

Okay, pop-quiz of application: … Are we the salt and light in the world to which we were/are called to be by Jesus? You know what has been asked: ”If someone accused you of being a Christians, would there be evidence enough to convict you?” And another word picture question, “Is our light strong enough in the darkness of this world to draw others to us … like moths to the light in the night?”

Certainly, if we look, say, and act like the world, no one in the world is going to be drawn to us … or repelled by us … because we are exactly like the word. If our values are worldly, who would feel the healing pain of our salt in the wounds of their living pain? If our words do not shine out as the witnesses we were called to be [see Acts 1: 8 above], how would the world be drawn to us or repelled from us?

If you’ve ever had cockroaches in your home, what happens when you turn on the light in their presence? They run to the darkness, don’t they? Does the world run from you or me because we are a light in their darkness? What happens when you put salt in a paper-cut? It hurts, doesn’t it; but it heals at the same time?! Do people sense the pain from your living values; but do they ultimately come, even in pain, to be healed by the truth we have to offer as Christians witnessing to the Gospel of Christ?

Well, enough of my “salt and light” quiz for today. I’ll let you deal with your own answers from this self-inventory. I certainly know that I need to do more to shine Christ’s light through my living and be willing to be salty enough to be felt by those around me who need the healing power of the Gospel.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, whatever it takes, shine Your light through me; … and help me to be salt when those around me need Your healing touch.… Amen