Daily Devotional

When I say “You are salt and light” I am quoting from Jesus' sermon in Matthew 5:13–16.
 
“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 underfoot by people. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
 
Do you know what Jesus is describing here? Lifestyle evangelism. I’m not talking about giving a neighbor you haven’t talked to in years a birthday card with a verse on it. That probably won’t accomplish much. What Jesus is talking about is being salt and light in the world today.  
 
Are you ready to try this? If so, here are my recommendations…
 

1. Be obedient and pray. You might say, “That’s two things.” And I say, “No it’s not, because living obediently and praying actually go together.” We live in a neighborhood, a workplace, and a family. And we regularly encounter people who do not know Christ. As we live and work alongside these people, be obedient and pray. And when you pray, pray BIG. You’re not just praying for the other person to accept Christ, you’re praying for an opportunity to be the one to share about Christ. Are you prepared to share the gospel? Be ready to sprinkle salt where life is bland and to shed light on situations that are dark.
   
   
2. Show love and reach out. Again, these two go hand-in-hand. You’ve gotta be winsome. Work on your smile. I’m sure you’ve heard the story of a Christian walking around church with a scowl on their face. Someone walks up to that person and says, “Are you happy?” They say, “Of course.” And the person says, “Well, you better tell your face.” People are drawn to people who smile. I think a smile can open the door for conversation. So work on your smile.
   
   When you consistently offer people a smile, people start to wonder why you’re so happy. And occasionally they will ask you. “How can you be so happy when life is so difficult?” BOOM, there’s the opportunity to talk about Jesus. He is the One who makes you smile. He gives us the reason for happiness. Jesus is what makes life worth living. We have hope that goes beyond the world around us.
   
   
3.  Take time and listen. Please, I beg you, don’t do all the talking. Listen to people. Listen to their hurts and pains. Listen for change. When people know you will listen, they will start sharing. Care enough to enter in with them. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Express your care for their current situation. But don’t come across as the answer-person. You don’t have all the answers. Neither do I. But you will be amazed how the love of Christ can be conveyed in a powerful way just by taking some time to listen to people and be available to them.
   
   
4. Share about Jesus and be ready to follow-up. Pray for an opportunity to share. Pray that you will know when the right time is to start sharing. And when that door opens, share your faith. Share about the difference Christ has made in your life. Don’t hold back.

 
When you look for opportunities to be salt and light in the world, you set people up to start asking questions about God. You are unique in this world. They see your smile. They feel your warmth. They see your positive attitude. They sense your joy, and they want to know how they can have it. So, when they ask, tell them the answer. It’s the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you and me!

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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