Devotional 07-16-2023

No Difference, No Witness

As the Israelites came upon their entrance into the Promised Land, Deuteronomy 7:6 sees God give them the very special distinction of being His chosen people. This title signified the many significant roles they played in God's plan, such as bringing the Messiah into the world. However, another crucial purpose God had in this distinction was for using Israel to make Himself and His glory known to the Gentiles. Such was why He gave the Israelites His Law, which called them to live a holy, selfless, and obedient lifestyle that contrasted those of their pagan neighbors. Unfortunately, because Israel frequently faltered in keeping the Law, the nation often became indistinguishable from the rest of the world through chasing after the same false gods and committing the same sins. In these times, the Israelites failed to obey God's commands in Deuteronomy 4:1-8 to be a light to their neighbors and showcase His closeness, faithfulness, and holiness.

Sadly, many believers and churches today are repeating Israel's mistakes. Although we are similarly called to be a light to this world through living a distinct, Christ-centered life in Matthew 5:16 and Romans 12:2, many believers instead choose to embrace the world's sinful pleasures, godless teachings, and apathetic attitude. In attempting to appeal to the world through these detrimental choices, these carnal believers and churches have only succeeded in becoming nearly, if not completely indistinguishable from it. This has not only caused them to rob themselves of the abundant life's rich blessings, but also deprive the world of the Christ-focused witness and godly example it desperately needs. If we are to be effective servants and witnesses for Christ, we must allow the Holy Spirit to conform our lifestyles to the following principles:

Our lives must produce visible differences from the world. When our attitudes, behaviors, and speech mirror that of the world's, it robs unbelievers of witnessing the beautiful transformation that only Christ's salvation can work in a person. Matthew 5:13 notes that this occurs because worldly living ruins our saltiness, making our witness and thus the Gospel appear as worthless to the world as tasteless salt. Furthermore, James 4:4 compares friendliness with the world to committing adultery, noting how it makes us live like God's enemies. Thus, the unsaved will not desire the life of Christ through our witness unless they see His joy, righteousness, and hope reflected in the way we live, behave, and speak.
Our witness must never be hidden. Many believers and churches foolishly hide and even compromise their beliefs to avoid ridicule, arguments, and rejection. However, Christ in Matthew 5:15 compares this cowardice to lighting a lamp in a dark room, only to cover it under a basket. In verse 16, He calls us instead to visibly live and proclaim His salvation, making ourselves bright lights that draw the unsaved out of sin's darkness. Rather than fearfully hiding our faith, we should seek Christ's courage to boldly proclaim the Gospel without compromise to the lost in every opportunity He gives us.
Our witness must rely on Christ, not ourselves.Although we are called to live Christ-like lives that avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thes. 5:22), attempting to do so through zealous self-righteousness will never lead the lost to salvation. This is because the transformative work of His salvation comes not from religious effort, but via grace through faith alone as Ephesians 2:8-9 state. Thus, our witness must be based on inheriting Christ's righteousness and submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit's renewing work, as Philippians 3:9 and Ephesians 4:23 note. It is this lifestyle of faith, humility, and servitude that creates an immensely powerful witness that draw the unsaved to Christ.

As God called Israel a few thousand years ago, so now does He call the church to be a light and a witness to this sinful world. Although this world's pressures and distractions make it easy to neglect this crucial command, our gracious Savior lovingly provides the opportunity to repent and build an immensely powerful witness for Him. Through boldly living visibly different lives built on Christ's righteousness and the Holy Spirit's renewal and power, we make ourselves available to be the salt and light that Christ can use to save souls, positively influence our culture, and make known God's goodness and glory to the whole world.

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