Daily Devotional For Sunday, September 8, 2024
I am so excited that Sunday is here. I love to be in worship praising our God, singing to Him, lifting my hands and arms to Him in adoration and gratitude to Him. We are making our way through the most famous and best sermon ever – Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount. Today, let’s look at where we left off on Saturday. We are looking at Matthew 5:13-16:
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. (14) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; (15) nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (NASB).
In these four verses, if we could choose one word to describe what Jesus is talking about, it would be the word influence. If we live our lives according to The Beatitudes, we are going to have influence in and on this world. Everyone’s character affects everyone else they are around, some for the good and some for bad. And this is especially true of people who call themselves “Christian.” Quoting John Donne, “No man is an island.”
“Andrew Murray was born in South Africa on May 9, 1828 and he died on January 18, 1917 at the age of 88. Due to his Christian upbringing, he became a minister (pastor) and missionary in South Africa. He published over 240 books and tracts in both Dutch and English. But that was not his greatest influence. His greatest influence was with his children and grandchildren. Five of his six sons became ministers of the gospel and four of his daughters became minister’s wives. Ten grandsons became ministers and thirteen grandchildren became missionaries. Now that is influence”
Many years ago Elihu Burrit wrote these words:
"No human being can come into this world without increasing or diminishing the sum total of human happiness, not only of the present, but of every subsequent age of humanity. No one can detach himself from this connection. There is no sequestered spot in the universe, no dark niche along the disk of non-existence, to which he can retreat from his relations to others, where he can withdraw the influence of his existence upon the moral destiny of the world; everywhere his presence or absence will be felt, everywhere he will have companions who will be better or worse for his influence.
It is an old saying, and one of the fearful and fathomless statements of import, that we are forming characters for eternity. Forming characters? Whose? Our own or others? Both. And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our existence. Who is sufficient for the thought? Thousands of my fellow beings will yearly enter eternity with characters differing from those they would have carried thither had I never lived. The sunlight of that world will reveal my finger marks in their primary formations and in their successive strata of thought and life” (Source: John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 236).
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to influence the world, not reflect it. Look at:
- John 17:15-16, 18, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world . . . (18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (NASB).
- 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (NASB).
We are to be in this world, but not of it. When we choose to live out the Beatitudes, some people will be attracted to us and saved; others will be repulsed and even persecute us. This is the Apostle Paul’s point in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.(15) For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; (16) to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” (NASB).
The same thought is found in 1 Peter 2:9, ”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (NASB). The Beatitudes and Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount is not to be lived out in isolation or only with other disciples of Jesus, but in the world for all to see and be an influence for the lost for Jesus Christ. Over the next few days we are going to look at “Salt” and “Light” Jesus used as metaphors to learn how we can influence others for Him. Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes this:
“When disciples of Jesus Christ live out the surprising, countercultural principles of the Beatitudes, people in the world will take note. The poor in spirit will demonstrate to others the need for the grace that only Christ can offer. Those who are comforted by the Spirit in their mourning will grab the attention of those who mourn without hope (see 1 Thes. 4:13). Because of their acts of mercy toward those in need, the merciful will draw people to themselves and point people to the God of mercy. Peacemakers will be sought out by those who are weary of being embroiled in constant conflict. And in numerous other ways, Christians engaged in kingdom living as described in the Beatitudes will influence others’ opinions, prompt their decisions, and encourage their actions in a positive direction. This kind of influence occurs without coercion, force, or command. It happens by example. The influence we can have doesn’t come by being just like the world around us, but by being different from the world around us” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, “Matthew 1-15,” Vol. 1A, p. 91).
Questions To Consider
- Would you say that when you are in the world, are you in it but not of it? Why or why not? If you were to go to trial for being a disciple of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you other than church attendance? Why or why not?
- When it comes to discipleship, godly influence is what we are to be in the world. Would you say wherever you are each and every day, you are influencing people to come to Jesus Christ? Why or why not?
- Andrey Murray definitely had a godly influence on his children and grandchildren. What kind of godly influence would you say you have your family and why?
- “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” for many reasons. Do you ever try to hide your discipleship with Jesus Christ?
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Peter 3:15, “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, You did not save me for me to be influenced by the world, but for me to influence the world for You. There are times it may appear I am ashamed of the Gospel and You. Please give me the power and the courage to stand and to keep standing for You no matter what or who comes. I love you Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly