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Salt and Light
of Matthew (Sermon on the Mount). Do you remember those chapters as significant in your understanding of worship? First, can you fill in the blank? "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and _________________ ." That's got to have something to do with worship, not necessarily Sunday-morning corporate worship, but the kind we do all day long, all week long. Here's how these verses sound in THE MESSAGE (Matthew 5:13-16). SALT AND LIGHT "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you there on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16 from THE MESSAGE: The New Testament in Contemporary English, by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress, 1993. Perhaps our morning prayer should end with a tuneful resolve, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Have a great week. SHINE ON! Chip Stam |