Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its
flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled
underfoot as worthless. 14You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15Don't hide your light under a
basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16In the same
way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will
praise your heavenly Father.
Why is society in it's current state with seemingly little influence being done by Christians? Don't we have enough resources? Isn't there enough books written about evangelism? Aren't there enough churches in the land? Have we not built our cases for truth effectively? Are not our arguments sound?Can't we prove our agendas? Do we need another seminar? More exposure on TV? Better preaching? More missionaries? Better singers? What do we lack to affect change in society? We have been making our case for years and raising our voices against depravity, shouting at the world over how wrong they are- AND IT ISN"T WORKING! Why?
I think it is this one thing: we have stopped short of knowing it could be any other way. Or at least if we do believe, we think it is much later in the future that it could be possible. But I don't think that kind of "faith" transfers God's desires into reality until we expect change much sooner, as in the next week, or the next day, or even now. Think of it. How would you function differently if you knew every good thing you did had a guaranteed success rate? Could it be that the only reason we don't see progress is because we never take time to picture it any other way as a direct result of our cooperation with heaven? And that it would happen soontime?We've tried everything else. Is this the missing link?
I know your mind is shouting, "be reasonable!", but it is unconscious dismissals like this that deactivate God's power being demonstrated! For example, the reason our family members won't receive salvation is because we factor in their freewill. The reason a person is subject to that wheelchair and not healed is due to a, b, or c. The reason my friend can't overcome their addiction is because _______. The reason temptation overcomes me is due to such & such circumstances. WE NEED TO GET THE LEECHES OF UNBELIEF OFF OUR MINDS! None of those situations would prevail if we KNEW we were enabled to make it different. Or do you think God's abilties are limited by them? Refraining from resolving those opportunities testifies so, because it is our actions that prove what we KNOW. Some would refer to the passage that says Jesus could not do mighty works in his hometown due to unbelief. Did you know that Jesus' ability is stronger than unbelief??? Numerous times he acted in environments of unbelief, because He cannot deny His nature. (Sometimes He even works within us despite unbelief). When the disciples feared death in the storm, Jesus still calmed it even though they did not have faith. Now this same Jesus has flooded us with light- and the darkness cannot comprehend it. Also, Je has not just empowered us for one particular task, but has made provision for victory on every avenue & level of our lives! Read Romans 8:37. The reason things aren't working is because we have made circumstances that are not from God subject to our reasonings, weaknessses, and misgivings, and not according to His might & resources! We don't KNOW for a fact that it will change at His touch (not at some future date). I know as you read this your mind can't accept the incredible truth, but your spirit is saying, "Could it be?" The mind is unfruitful, as it brings up factors and exceptions to short-circuit confidence in God, that WHATEVER you put your hand to WILL prosper.
Think of what would happen if after you heard a sermon, you immediately went out and practiced it. But what we've been doing is stashing it away in the religious files of our minds and if something comes accross our path we may remember to apply it. We have this casual attitude because we are not absolutely certain God in us will enact a cataclysmic change when we do them. My friend, we have grossly underestimated God's rule in us, to us, and through us to everyone around us. His sphere of influence is boundless and it's time to start acting like it! Repentence is a new mindset that causes you to see things God's ways, assured that His divine influence is actively taking effect the moment you cooperate.
