In the book of John, chapter nine verse five, Jesus says, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." And in John 12:46 He says, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." What we often forget, however, is that we as Christians are commanded to do the same! We are to be the light of the world. Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Recently, I've been very convicted about not being enough of a light. I've been working on a speech about the persecuted church-- and realizing just how afraid I am to share the gospel sometimes. Sometimes I don't tell people the good news of Christ because I worry about what people might think, or I worry that I won't do it right. Both these things are sins. They are sins because they show that I am giving into fear. How many thousands-- no, no, millions-- of Christians around the world share their faith knowing full well that it will cost them much more than someones opinion of them? There ARE many! Yet I feel afraid sometimes, safe as I am, to do the same. And this doesn't just go for sharing the gospel, either. This just happens to be a fear/sin that I've been struggling to overcome more recently. But, there are other fears that can keep one from serving Christ. Financial fears (which keep us from giving), prideful fears (which can keep us from sharing the gospel or discipling and helping each other), safety fears (which may keep us from doing hard or even dangerous things that God is calling us to), and the list could go on and on. I'd like to share with you a section that I'm using in my speech on the persecuted church. It's a quote from Brad Konneman, the Voice of the Martyrs youth director in Australia, after he had recently visited Columbia:"The call to follow Jesus is by definition a costly call-- we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Whereas we often seek comfort, security, wealth, greatness, and power, Jesus calls us to forsake all this and trust in Him as the only path to life and joy. Colombian evangelists present a fantastic example of what it looks like to follow Jesus, bearing the cross with joy." This is what the cross should look like, my friends. Denying ourselves and taking up the Cross of Christ to follow in His steps. How will people know that we are Christ's disciples? The answer isn't hard: through self-sacrifice. If we are willing to sacrifice everything for Christ, people cannot help but see that we are His disciples! Thinking on these things the last few days, I decided to start a new series of blog posts. (I know, thrilling! ;) One post in this series will come every weekend! I've actually never done this before, it's kind of a big commitment... just kidding! It's pretty simple, really. And it wouldn't be a hard thing for any of you to do on YOUR blog either (hint, hint...) Here's how it will work.
1. The theme is Christian giving (self-sacrifice).
2. The goal is to show people how a seemingly 'small' gift can make all the difference in the world.
3. Every Saturday, or maybe Sunday, I will post about one gift-- $15 or less-- that, if you are interested, you can give to a Christian organization.
4. I'm calling it '$15 or less weekends.'
5. I will start today!
I realize that you might not be in a position where you can give a gift every week. But I thought that as long as I am trying to learn to be more giving, I could include you all in this adventure, too. Sometimes it's almost ridiculous how flippantly we spend $7 or $8, wouldn't you agree? But that could make all the difference in the world to some people. I realize not everyone can give every week, but I know that God will show you where you can give; just like through His grace He will show me how I can give. Because I can guarantee you this: He
is calling you to self-sacrifice.
He is calling you to change the world.
