Light of the world
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Jesus was the light of the world while He was in the world.
That distinction – being the light of the world – now belongs to His church.
The church is to be a true representation of what Jesus both taught and lived.
Following His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His church to “teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
The early church won converts and instructed them in the ways of the Lord.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking bread.” – Acts 2:41-42
Jesus committed the doctrine that came from the Father to His church.
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” – John 7:16
The Word also calls those who comprise His church ambassadors for Christ. That means they represent Him in doctrine and conduct.
They are both the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
With the economy the way it is, we purchase a lot of potatoes. A five-pound bag costs about $2.99, which makes potatoes very affordable.
You can do a lot with them. Additionally, they contain starch that is a filling agent.
They fill you up at a minimal cost. When you have a family of six, potatoes do the trick.
We like to eat mashed potatoes over baked potatoes.
Several keys exist for proper mashed potatoes. If they’re not mashed enough, they remain lumpy. Some like the skin on, while others prefer the skin peeled.
I go either way on that subject. I like them peeled, but that process removes part of the potato, which diminishes the bang for your buck.
Then comes the seasoning aspect. For whatever reason, my wife hit the nail on the head the other day.
The seasoning was perfect. Too much salt is not good. Too little is awful. Proper flavoring makes the dish.
When it is just right, it makes a huge difference. In biblical terms, salt provides an enhancing influence for the soul. It is a sweet-smelling savour that brings people to the Lord.
It is rooted in the fruits of the Spirit, with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, and temperance serving as key ingredients.
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” – Colossians 2:16
We must continue in the Word of God to dispense the proper seasoning.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this though shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – I Timothy 4:16
Anything less than Christ’s doctrine and a lifestyle not rooted and grounded in the faith won’t produce the desired results. The salt and the light go hand in hand.
The devil wants to diminish both in our lives. He hates it when the truth is proclaimed, but enjoys a tarnished witness.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16
When the early church was on fire for God, Satan attempted to douse the flames.
The disciples were told not to speak of Jesus.
Their answer was they needed to obey God rather than men.
“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:19-20
