Some of you may remember the song that we used to sing in Sunday School when we were kids. It went something like this: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, No! I'm gonna let shine......"
On Saturdays blog, I asked this question:
And so what is the answer for you and I for today, in trying to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ? Do we slink away? Be ashamed? Hide our beliefs to seemingly join those that would otherwise ridicule us, but believe "in secret."
The little song that I have above really says it. And the answer is, NO, we are not to hide our light under a bushel but should let it shine. That little song comes from the following scripture:
5 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. Mathew 5:15
But let me also share with you verses 14_16.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Ummm. That is a sobering thought really friends. We are the light of the world. A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.
We are to shine our lights for the gospel of Jesus Christ because without that light there is darkness. And without that light, people will not see Jesus in us and come to him. God wants to use us. He wants us to share our Light with the world.
Sometimes we can just get mad at the audacity of people that would try to take our right to believe as we choose away from us. But worse yet, what about persecution?
Scary stuff? Yes, sometimes it is. Because even so, at the least it can mean ridicule, but in many cases, persecution beyond belief when people are physically attacked or tortured for the cause of Jesus Christ.
But if we understand the scripture as in those verses from Saturday, it is to be expected. However, after all is said and done, there is good news
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mathew 5:10-12
Rejoice and be glad? Really Lord?
Yes, that is what it says. Rejoice and be glad. But why? Because GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN.
That means you and me and all those that were persecuted for the cause of Jesus Christ that came before us and will come after us. That is the promise that he gives to us that are obedient to him.
After all Christ did for us at the cross, which is much worse than most of us will ever have to endure, can we expect anything less out of ourselves? No. He paid the price for us and it is the least that we can do back for him. Are you willing to be persecuted for him in whatever way he may choose for you?
He wants us to go out and preach and teach people about him. And in doing that, there will be persecution. But in so doing, let me leave you today with these verses from Mathew 28:19-20 and the promise he gives those that are obedient to his message.
Sometimes we can just get mad at the audacity of people that would try to take our right to believe as we choose away from us. But worse yet, what about persecution?
Scary stuff? Yes, sometimes it is. Because even so, at the least it can mean ridicule, but in many cases, persecution beyond belief when people are physically attacked or tortured for the cause of Jesus Christ.
But if we understand the scripture as in those verses from Saturday, it is to be expected. However, after all is said and done, there is good news
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mathew 5:10-12
Rejoice and be glad? Really Lord?
Yes, that is what it says. Rejoice and be glad. But why? Because GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN.
That means you and me and all those that were persecuted for the cause of Jesus Christ that came before us and will come after us. That is the promise that he gives to us that are obedient to him.
After all Christ did for us at the cross, which is much worse than most of us will ever have to endure, can we expect anything less out of ourselves? No. He paid the price for us and it is the least that we can do back for him. Are you willing to be persecuted for him in whatever way he may choose for you?
He wants us to go out and preach and teach people about him. And in doing that, there will be persecution. But in so doing, let me leave you today with these verses from Mathew 28:19-20 and the promise he gives those that are obedient to his message.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
Final thought for the day: What is the reward that we will receive in heaven? Come back tomorrow as I will try to answer that question.
Thanks for letting me share with you today friends. If God is with us, who can be against us? Have a great day. Please come back tomorrow.
Final thought for the day: What is the reward that we will receive in heaven? Come back tomorrow as I will try to answer that question.
Thanks for letting me share with you today friends. If God is with us, who can be against us? Have a great day. Please come back tomorrow.
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