Word and Deed
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16.
Over the years I’ve heard many sermons on this passage of scripture. Most of them focussed on the fact that believers in Christ Jesus are the light of the world. That it is their job to take the message of salvation into a dark world.
There is however less emphasis on how believers in Christ are to take that message to the world. Many Christians assume that it is by word of mouth that the gospel message is to be preached.
While that is true, it is most definitely not the only way. In the last sentence from the above quot by Jesus, Jesus states,
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
As Christians we must present the gospel message in word and in deed. The apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Francis of Assisi wrote two things believers in Christ Jesus need to consider. He wrote,
Please think about it.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16.
Over the years I’ve heard many sermons on this passage of scripture. Most of them focussed on the fact that believers in Christ Jesus are the light of the world. That it is their job to take the message of salvation into a dark world.
There is however less emphasis on how believers in Christ are to take that message to the world. Many Christians assume that it is by word of mouth that the gospel message is to be preached.
While that is true, it is most definitely not the only way. In the last sentence from the above quot by Jesus, Jesus states,
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
As Christians we must present the gospel message in word and in deed. The apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Francis of Assisi wrote two things believers in Christ Jesus need to consider. He wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times
and
when necessary use words.’
Francis of Assisi
and
“The deeds you do
may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, what are your deeds telling the world about Jesus?Please think about it.
