ICS Daily Devotions
Be The Light And Salt Of The Earth
Matt 5:13-16(NKJV) “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
God has planted His church on Earth to be salt of the earth and light of the world. It requires following God’s plan to obtain the heavenly blessings that make the difference. Therefore, the church should consecrate ourselves to His agenda rather than our own agenda. As it works for an individual, it should also be the case for the church. It is so important for us to consecrate our plans to God because we will be operating in faith and allocating ties to serve the Lord despite of our busy schedule. We know that we are walking in the will of God. We are convinced that if we honor God, then God will honor us!
We cannot be hidden whether it is the individual or the church. There is no invisible church or member because people will be looking at us. When the city is set on the hill means it is easily seen at an elevated position. You will be able to see the light in a pitch-dark forest. Though the church is made up of imperfect people, the world will still be observing whether we are of any difference from them! The church is like a yard stick or a plumb line to show forth the standard required.
There are many aspects of how the church and the individual should be the salt and the light of this world. A church is like a city that’s set on the hill by God to show forth His love for them. The church is also like a lampstand that gives light to everyone who is living in darkness. The light shines brightest in the darkest night. Therefore, the church must never lose it purpose by hiding herself or being drawn into darkness by compromising with the world.
The house of God has to be in order before we impact the people in the world. Some periodic housekeeping will always be good as it is always helpful to reiterate the gospel truths so that members of the sheepfold will embrace the teaching to run with it. Jesus is the chief shepherd and the pastors are under shepherd who help to look after His flocks. There are different sheepfolds in every country and it is called the local churches. Every local church has it calling and she should shine forth effectively in the midst of the community.
The church represents the presence of the Lord on the earth today. Therefore, it is important for the church to portray and represents the Lord well in the world. The devil will do all that he can to discredit the church from being a powerful testimony to the dark world. He will make use of the people in the world to attack the church and also deceive those within to bring confusion and division in the body of Christ. The members in the church must rise up and take ownership over the local church in order to resist the onslaught of the demonic forces in their attempts to discredit and make the church irrelevant to society. Therefore, the local church needs to operate in power and unity to withstand the poisonous darts of the enemy. Then it will fulfill its task of being the salt and light on earth.
Sermon Series: Taking Ownership of the Church
