City On A Hill

I love my Christian brothers and sisters. But I feel like all too often Christians insulate, isolate, and separate themselves from “the world.” Everywhere I go, everything I say, and everything I do, I want it to be a light for Jesus. I want to glorify God. I want opportunities to share the gospel with “the world.” I think oftentimes, without realizing it, Christians find themselves walking around with a covered light. Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus also said that we are the light of the world, a city on a hill. Everyone is supposed to be able to see a city on a hill from a great distance. Yet, I see many Christians refusing to be a part of the world. “The World” is a popular phrase used by many to describe those who do not know Jesus. Jesus loved “the world!” So much so, that He died for it (John 3:16).

Covered Lights

When we surround ourselves with nothing but Christian friends, we walk around with a covered light. Another thing that concerns me is that Christians are taught that they should place a huge importance on their reward being in Heaven. So much so that they do almost everything good for others in total secrecy. After all, a lot of scriptures teach that our rewards are in heaven. There is a place for doing some things in secret, but not most things. How are we to be a light in the world if we show people love in secret?  If I do something for someone, my heart is to bring glory to God for it. How can others glorify God for my actions if they don’t know a Christian helped them in some way? Jesus also said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16).” We are supposed in infect, infiltrate, and illuminate darkness!

New Believers

I have heard numerous people tell a new believer that they need to surround themselves with Christian friends. Get fully plugged in to the church, home fellowship groups, church events, they say. When a person first gets saved, they still have a lot of unsaved friends. They are oftentimes encouraged to stay away from their old friends. What a light and a witness for Jesus they can be to their unsaved friends if we would just let them! Why is much of our thinking as Christians designed to shelter us from the world? This concept makes no sense. We treat new Christians like they are in grave danger of walking off a spiritual cliff into the worldly abyss. We need to have a little of that faith we preach to others in a God who is able to keep them. 

Safe in God's Hands

Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Nobody or nothing can snatch a Christian out of the hands of God. New Christians or seasoned Christians alike. So, please, come out from your "Christian shelters" and spread the gospel to “the world.”  Let our lights shine - We are the city on a hill!