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Sunday, March 14, 2004
Alanib: Being a blessing to the community
By Tim R. Alanib
Ambrosia for the Young
Jesus' followers would be like salt in that they would create a thirst for greater information. When one sees a unique person who possess superior qualities in specific areas, he desires to discover why that person is different.
JESUS said, "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16).
Today, many Christians have lost touch with the community around them and have ceased being "salt" and "light" to the world. They are a far cry from the early church, which "enjoyed the favor of all the people" (Acts 2:47).
To demonstrate the impact these people would make on their world, Jesus used two illustrations: salt and light. Jesus' followers would be like salt in that they would create a thirst for greater information. When one sees a unique person who possesses superior qualities in specific areas, he desires to discover why that person is different. It is also possible that salt means these people serve as a preservative against the evils of society. Whichever view one takes, the important quality to note is that salt ought to maintain its basis character. If it fails to be salty, it has lost its purpose for existence and should be discarded.
"Salt" in Jesus' time was an impure mixture that could lose its salt content and become tasteless.
Salt has several properties: Salt is an antiseptic (kills germs); salt is a preservative; salt is a seasoning.
When a person is in bondage to the devil in a certain area of his life, we can pray for him to help him be set free from bondage. The devil--spiritual germ-- will be driven away.
Our society today suffers from moral decay (pornographic movies, graft and corruption, drugs). Christians should be involved in society to prevent this decay, and even reverse the trend.
A light is meant to shine and give direction. Individuals Jesus described would obviously radiate and paint others to the proper path. Their influence would be evident, like a city on a hill or a lamp. On its stand. A concealed lamp, placed under a bowl would be useless. Light-radiating people live so that others see their good deeds and give praise not to them but to the Father in heaven.
Christian can be "light" in several ways:
*By helping to dispel ignorance or darkness of the mind. When Christians establish schools and learning centers, they the literacy level of the community. They play a big part in molding the character of the youth, enlightening their minds and emotions.
*By leading people toward an awareness of their sins, the darkness of their spirits. This is the first step to repentance and reconciliation with God.
*By letting the light of God expose the darkness in society-corruption, injustice, immorality.
*By doing good deeds to let the world know that God is love.
There are specific examples of good deeds that Jesus expects to do as stipulated in Matthew 25:31-36. Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, be hospitable to needy travelers, give clothes to the needy, look after the sick, visit the prisoners.
God is love. God is light. He wants His children to let their light shine before men. He wants us to be a blessing to the community. When we walk closely with God, we will become sensitive to the needs of our community. When people see our good deeds, they will praise our Father in heaven.
There are special commands concerning doing good in the Word of God. They are as follows:
Psalm 34:4: Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 37:3: Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Luke 6:35: But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
Hebrews 13:16: And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
James 4:17: Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.
(E-mail: ambrosia_tim@yahoo.com)
(March 14, 2004 issue)
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