Thursday, July 26, 2007
My QT learning:Matthew 5:10-16
There's truth to the saying "opposites attract." And while our "oppositeness" can create tension - being different also has the potential to make an incredible impact.
When Jesus introduced His followers to the concept of being salt and light, He knew that being different would create tension, but it was the key to make a difference.
Early Christians knew what this was all about. They were misunderstood and maligned in many ways because they were committed to Jesus. It was the power of the salt and light of their lives.
In ancient times, salt was a valuable commodity. It added flavor to the food, and perserved meat. As there was no electricity, oil lamps were essential for light.
Historical scholars believe that, among other dynamics, it was the Christians' acts of compassion over the course of time that eventually transformed Roman society. The Romans had legalized "death by exposure," in which an unwanted baby could be left in a garbage dump to die. Christians were known to rescue these abandoned children. When severe plagues ravaged the empire, townspeople fled to the mountains leaving behind members of their own family who were dying. It was the Christians who risked their lives to stay in the villages and minister to the victims. Their good works made a recognizable difference as they perserved precious lives and shone the light of Jesus' love in the darkest places.
As we face the tension of living for Jesus in our post-modern society, think of the incredible contribution we can make with our oppositeness - acts of love instead of self-centeredness, integrity amid an often-dishonest world, and generosity in the face of greed.
Fill the salt-shaker and dust off our oil lamp... it's time to attract others to the difference of Jesus today! In spite of tension, it's the difference that makes a difference!
Make A Difference!
Won't You Lord
Take a look at our hands
Everything we have
Use it for Your plan
Won't You Lord
Take a look at our hearts
Mould it, refine it
As You set us apart
We want to run to the altar
And catch the fire
To stand in the gap
Between the living and the dead
Give us a heart of compassion
For the world without vision
We'll make a difference
Bringing hope to our land
I've been paid for in FULL 1:10 PM