JUN 24

Matthew 5:13-16
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:22
“… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Christ says that believers are the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and as “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). This truth has great significance. In God’s plan for the world, the light of believers is meant to lead the rest of the earth to salvation and to God. This has been the purpose of God since the beginning. This appointment once rested with the people of Israel. The nation of Israel was meant to be the great example for the rest of world. The Word of God was given to them first and they had a special relationship with God and through God’s leadership, the nation would be God’s evangelist to the other nations of the earth. However, Israel failed the Lord.

In Acts, we read how this testimony was then taken from Israel and given to the Gentiles. Individual believers now bear this role. If one considers the great importance of the gospel, one will realise how great a privilege and blessing it is to be given this responsibility. The gospel is what will save sinners from eternal damnation unto eternal life. There is no other way. Only the gospel can save. I hope you understand your privileged position as a believer. You are a light to the world, meaning through you, unbelievers can see the truth and be saved. You are the salt of the earth, meaning because of you, the world is preserved from rot and evil. Salt has a preservative effect on raw food. Likewise, your life when lived in holiness has a positive preservative effect on those around you. If the salt is taken away, the world will decay.

With all this in mind, we can now try to understand why the commandment to abstain from the appearance of evil is important. Note that it is not the committing of a sin here, but the mere appearance of committing sin is forbidden. You may think it is acceptable to go to a club so long as you don’t drink or do anything that is sinful. But the mere fact that you appear to have done so is itself, a sin. As precious lights and salt of the earth, we have to protect our testimony before the world. The world has to look to us and see Christ and God-willing be led unto Him through repentance and acknowledgment of the truth. Our testimony is precious. If you do not shine, others will not have the opportunity to see Christ and risk being doomed for all eternity.

Thought: What areas of my life have the appearance of evil?
Prayer: Father, help me to be truly holy.