Purposed Living in a Darkened World

We fellow Christ followers are here in this temporary time, as Jesus has put it, to be “salt and light,” in sharing Him, the Wow! – The wonder of wonders and worthy of worship (see Matthew 5:12-14; Hebrews 1:1-4; Revelation 4:10-11) – Author of the real life. And each of us has our particular calling to do so.

Consider Psalm 19:1-4a; cf. Romans 1:20, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world…"

Life Application Study Bible notes, emphasis mine: "… As God reveals himself through nature (19:106), we learn about his power and our finiteness. As God reveals himself through Scripture (19:7-11), we learn about his holiness and our sinfulness. As God reveals himself through experiences (19:12-14), we learn about his gracious forgiveness that frees us from guilt."

He revealed himself first to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1 & 2), making it a "G" rated picture show. But then comes Genesis chapter 3; Satan comes along, and "X" rates the whole scene. And so there are now two versions to share (two roads to travel, see Matthew 7:13-14 – two worlds, as in my youth one predicted I would realize someday: the G rated and the X rated. Hence, "the good and the bad." The world without Christ shares the X rated version, often in speaking the name Jesus.

But God calls out a people for Himself to shine the light and spread the salt of the "G" rated story, the truer real way: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to name a few. And then Moses, God revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus chapters 3 and 4) and commanded him to go. As we read in Exodus 3:10 and 4:12, "Now go,” God spoke to Moses, “for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt … I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say”

“Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do,” so notes the Life Application Study Bible. Continuing, “It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn't asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help ... God often calls us to do tasks that seem too difficult, but he doesn’t ask us to do them alone. God offers his resources, just as he did to Moses. [Hence, we] should not hide behind [our] inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond [ourselves] to the great resources available. Then [we] can allow God to use [our] unique contributions [to share his Good News to those to whom He may so lead us].”

In the Bible read John 4:27-38. Just after Jesus had confronted the woman at the well, his disciples had returned. Jesus teaches them about the harvest field. Now read John 4:35, “You know the saying,” Jesus told them, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.”

"Sometimes Christians excuse themselves from witnessing by saying that their family or friends aren't ready to believe. Jesus, however, makes it clear that around us a continual harvest waits to be reaped. Don’t let Jesus find [us] making excuses. Look around. [Being attentive to the Spirit's prompting for sure we’ll] find people ready to hear God's Word,” the Life Application Study Bible [brackets mine].

Read now Acts 4:19-21, when Peter and John were warned not to speak to anyone in Jesus' name (see Acts 4:17). 19"But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard'..."

Perhaps Peter recalled that early incident in writing his epistle, as we consider now 1 Peter 3:14-16, emphasis mine, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Life Application Study Bible notes [brackets and emphasis mine]: "…It is true [we] shouldn't be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing [our] faith but [we] should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about [our] faith, [our] lifestyle, or [our] Christian perspective…"

Colossians 4:3-6 NLT. [And so, realizing our task to share God's Good News let us pray for one another] … that God will give [us] many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ… 4 Pray that [we] will proclaim this message as clearly as [we] should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let [our] conversation be gracious and attractive [and seasoned with salt], so that [we] will have the right response for everyone.”

1 Peter 2:9-10 The Message [brackets mine], 9-10 "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."

"People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments,” as the Life Application Study Bible notes. Continuing [brackets mine], “But our relationship with Christ is far more important than our jobs, successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by God as his very own, and we have been called to represent him to others – [being light bearers and salt spreaders of his truth]. Remember that [our] value comes from being one of God's children, not from what [we] can achieve. [We] have worth because of what God does, not because of what [we] do [or have]."