NOT Peddlers But GOD’S!
- I love a parade!
- I love a parade on TV or in person!
However, as much as I enjoy watching a parade, during the past two Christmas seasons, I have discovered that I LOVE PARTICIPATING IN THE PARADE—MORE!
“We are to be Salt & Light.”
“We are to be Salt & Light.”
“We are to be Salt & Light.”
Our new university president spoke those words on the first day of our meeting. He was the one called to lead us (the faculty, the staff, & the students), to guide our steps, to ensure that we were a help to one another. He spoke those words, and I knew deep within me the truth of the words he spoke that first day he was introduced.
As wonderful as it was to hear our new university president speak those words, he was not the first man to remind us of this basic yet challenging principle. JESUS HIMSELF FIRST PROCLAIMED THOSE WORDS.
“You are the salt of the earth; . . .”
(Matthew 5: 13a & 14a NASB)
&
“You are the light of the world. . . .”
- As the world around us churns, seemingly revealing one need followed by another & bringing one storm followed by another—it has never been more apparent than now—PEOPLE NEED THE LORD!
- As the days slip by, revealing how troubled, how sin-soaked, how unlovely, and how sad this world can really be—it has never been more apparent than now—PEOPLE NEED THE LORD!
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.
(2 Corinthians 2: 14-17 NASB)
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:
to the one an aroma from death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
For we are not like the many peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”
- We can be the salt, bringing God’s flavor to every place we walk.
- We can be the salt, touching God’s creation who surround us where we live and work.
- We can be the salt, showing God’s humanity that it is Jesus who we believe, accept, & follow.
- We can be the salt & We can bring Jesus into every space, every place, everywhere!
“the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
There is a caravan of travelers, of sojourners, who are walking in a parade, loving those who are standing, watching us as we go by. We walk together, knowing that what we share with the other parade-walkers is something FAR-MORE PRECIOUS than anything this world has to offer. We share that with other believers, and it does not matter what continent or what country or what region or what township or on what street we reside upon—Here on earth. That’s correct. It does not matter where we live—Here—because we are in a caravan, walking the same roadway, the same pathway—TO THE HOME GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US.
“a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: . . .”
- We are the aroma of Christ!
- We are the aroma of Christ!
Saltiness is not what we are to be, but “SALT” sprinkled upon those who are placed around us within our world and upon this earth. We are to be the flavor of Jesus, and flavor add a sweet-smelling aroma. A Fragrance of Christ to God wafting heaven-ward. That’s what God’s children are to be!
“the other an aroma from life to life.”
We are the children of God, and as such, God has gifted us with Himself, with His aroma. What a most-breathtaking aroma of life God has given to us. Yet, there are so many who do not know the Lord as their Savior. We walk beside them, next to them, even passing by them as we journey homeward. They are the “perishing.” They are the ones who are standing on the streets, watching us pass by, and they are the ones whose lives will end in death. We cannot pass by and do nothing! We cannot pass by them and not care about their eternal destination. WE MUST SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD!
“For we are not like the many peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”
(2 Corinthians 2: 17 NASB)
- Christ triumphed over death on the cross & Christ provided the only way to God!
- Christians belong to Christ Jesus!
That’s Right: We Belong to God!
- Christians have a duty to pick up our cross & to follow Christ!
- God’s children have been given a responsibility & a task we MUST DO as we pass through this life we have been given to live.
GOD’S TASK FOR US: SPREAD THE GOSPEL!
GOD’S COMMAND FOR US: BE THE SALT OF THE EARTH!
JESUS’ DIRECTIVE GIVEN TO US: BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
May we live in such a way so that people sense the Love & Grace of Christ in us.
May we speak in such a way so that people are drawn to Christ.
“King on the Inside” by the Christian group RICHLIN gives us the truth of God through song. Listen and be blessed and be reminded WHO resides within us. Remember—IT IS THE KING OF KINGS; IT IS JESUS WHO WE FOLLOW; IT IS ALMIGHTY GOD WHO HAS PLACED HIS HOLY SPIRIT, HIS POWER, HIS TRUTH—WITHIN US!
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, just as we are to do. It is God who gives us these words through His prophet Isaiah.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
(Isaiah 61: 1-3 NASB)
Because the LORD anointed me
To bring good news to the humble;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim release to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
- May we not be peddlers, living lives filled with things that have no eternal value.
- May we be sharing the Word of God!
- May we invite those watching us pass by to see Jesus!
- May we share Jesus with them, so they too may come to know Jesus as their Savior!
- May we walk worthy in the eternal parade—Homeward!
- May we be God’s Salt!
- May we be God’s Light!
- May we be God’s planting, sharing Christ Jesus wherever He leads!
- May the LORD be glorified—through us!